40 arrested as New Brunswick RCMP clash with Mi’kmaq-led protesters in shale gas battle

 

 

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An image of the New Brunswick standoff posted to Twitter by user @OsmichHeavily-armed RCMP officers moved against a Mi’kmaq-led blockade in New Brunswick on Thursday, leading to a violent clash with anti-fracking protesters said to be "willing to die" to hold their position.

APTN National News reports that police moved in on protesters near Rexton, N.B., to enforce an injunction against a barricade blocking a company from completing shale gas exploration. Police reportedly arrested several activists, prompting resident from the Mi’kmaq community of Elsipogtog to swarm the protest site.

The RCMP has confirmed that more than 40 people were arrested on firearms offences and charges of uttering threats, intimidation, mischief and ignoring a court injunction.
"The arrests were made on October 17, 2013, at the site of an ongoing protest. The court injunction was enforced and police were met with resistance by some of those at the site," a news release states.
According to police, at least one gunshot was fired by someone other than police, Molotov cocktails were thrown and five RCMP vehicles were set on fire.
An explosive device was also reportedly found at the scene.
The standoff could get worse. APTN quotes one protester who said they were “willing to die” as part of their months-long protest against the possible fracking of shale gas in the region.
[ Related: RCMP arrest at least 40 people at site of shale gas protest in New Brunswick ]

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Rexton, N.B., shale gas protest escalates

Heavily-armed RCMP officers moved against a Mi’kmaq-led blockade in New Brunswick on Thursday, Oct. 17, leading to a violent clash with anti-fracking protesters said to be "willing to die" to hold their position. The RCMP has confirmed that more than 40 people were arrested on firearms offences and charges of uttering threats, intimidation, mischief and ignoring a court injunction.

 

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"The RCMP has worked diligently with all parties involved in hopes for a peaceful resolution. Those efforts have not been successful. Tensions were rising, and serious criminal acts are being committed," Cst. Jullie Rogers-Marsh stated. "There have been threats made to employees who were working with a private security firm at the site, as well as firearms offences, incidents of intimidation, mischief and other criminal behavior. For those reasons, and to ensure public safety, police action was required."
Vivid images of protesters squaring off against authorities began spreading on Facebook and Twitter Thursday afternoon, including camouflaged officers will rifles and a lone demonstrator holding a feather aloft as a line of responders looks on.