Nelsonites rally to support Wet'suwet'en pipeline blockades
By Nelson Daily Staff
The Heritage City joined hands with more than 50 cities across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria, and around the world to rally in support of the Wet’suwet’en defending their unceded lands from unwanted fracked gas development.
Monday, in a camp located near Houston, BC, RCMP moved into a blockade to enforce a court injunction, arresting 14 people including Gitdumden spokesperson Molly Wickham. One elder was released, and 13 other supporters were to appear in court in Prince George Tuesday.
All Wet'suwet'en Clans have rejected the Coastal GasLink fracked gas pipeline, considering area the pipeline passes over their land their home.
The Wet'suwet'en said their medicines, berries, food, the animals, our water, our culture are all here since time immemorial and they are obligated to protect the ways of life for their unborn babies.
More than 100 supporters Nelson gathered at the Nelson-Creston MLA office of Michelle Mungall, BC Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources shortly before noon Tuesday.
The Nelson protest doubled as supporting the Wet’suwet’en as well as raising awareness of water issues in and around the West Kootenay region.
Sinixt elder Marilyn James spoke to the supporters regarding water issues before the crowd decided to take their protest through the streets of Nelson, tying up traffic as the march paraded to the end of Baker Street, onto Vernon Street before concluding briefly at the City Hall Courtyard.
Some of the protesters continued to march down Front Street, back up Hall Street to MLA Mungall’s office on Josephine Street under the close eye of Nelson Police officers before dispersing.
The crowd gathered before listening to Sinixt elder Marilyn James.
More than 100 supporters gathered outside the office of Nelson-Creston MLA Michelle Mungall Tuesday afternoon.
