For the second time in less than a month, police were out in force to stop First Nation Indigenous protesters from delaying preparations for fracking in Canada’s Atlantic coast province of New Brunswick.
Last month, on October 17, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) came out with riot gear, dogs, and snipers to remove a First Nation blockade protesting SWN Resouces Canada’s exploration in preparation for a fracking operation. Fracking is a way of extracting oil from shale deposits via hydraulic fracturing of rocks and rock formations.
On Thursday (November 14) police walked in front of SWN Resources thumper trucks as they faced a highway blockade. Several hours later, after barely having moved, the convoy of trucks turned around. It’s expected they’ll try to get through on Friday.
The standoff was widely covered through social media, with calls for support and financial aid. News media reported that Elsipogtog First Nation Chief and Council went to a New Brunswick courthouse to file for an injunction against SWN.
First Nation leaders have been calling for consultations with the provincial government before any fracking operation is allowed to start.
Late Thursday afternoon, after the protest, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported that New Brunswick’s Energy Minister Craig Leonard said “he hoped protests against shale gas development won’t stop SWN Resources from proceeding with its plans to explore for the resource.”
4 weeks today since the raid on #Rexton. Demonstrator: "you'd think they'd get the hint" pic.twitter.com/s1vw1ZPRqQ
— Ossie Michelin (@Osmich) November 14, 2013
RCMP surrounds SWN trucks. Protecting the land or protecting the corporation? #Elsipogtog #ElsipogtogSolidarity pic.twitter.com/294O8IPXer
— IndigenousNationhood (@INMvmt) November 14, 2013
People watch as trucks turn around to head north. #nb pic.twitter.com/4SeKUQZO4n
— Jennifer Choi (@JenniferChoiCBC) November 14, 2013
More information:
CBC News – Highway 11 partly reopened as shale protests continue – here
APTN – Tensions rise north of Elsipogtog as RCMP confronts Mi’kmaq – here
Globe and Mail – Anti-fracking protests shouldn’t hinder shale-gas sector, N.B. Energy Minister says – here
SWN Resouces Canada website – www.swnnb.ca
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