Wet’suwet’en land defenders in court in Prince George following militarized RCMP invasion of their territory
Photo: Haudenosaunee land defenders Skyler Williams, Layla Black and Logan Staats were among those arrested on November 18, 2021.
Today, February 14, we are following via social media the trial of Wet’suwet’en land defenders and water protectors.
Gidimt’en Checkpoint says: “Over thirty water protectors are appearing in BC Supreme Court in Prince George on February 14 after the RCMP invasion on Wet’suwet’en territory [on November 18 and 19] 2021.”
Their Tell your MP: We’re breaking up with Canada online action also highlights: “Valentine’s Day is a day of mourning for the countless missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, for 2SLGBTQQIA peoples and their families across Turtle Island — not to take Wet’suwet’en people and their supporters to court for defending land that is rightfully theirs from the construction of an illegal pipeline.”
It continues: “We are asking you to observe this day with us by sending a letter to Canada’s elected officials asking that they honour and uphold their commitments to reconciliation by calling on Premier John Horgan and Attorney General David Eby to drop all charges laid against peaceful land defenders, legal observers & journalists.”
Gidimt’en Checkpoint has also just posted on Facebook: “The criminalization of our people and the blatant racism of the so-called justice system is especially pronounced now as we see how non-indigenous people are treated. The violence used against Indigenous women protecting Indigenous land is intentional. The kid gloves used in Ottawa is intentional. We will not allow this to continue for our children to grow up with.”
At this time, we also recall that the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has called on Canada to stop construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline on Wet’suwet’en territory and to remove the RCMP from those lands.
Gidimt’en Checkpoint has highlighted: “In the three large-scale police actions that have happened on Wet’suwet’en territory since January 2019, a total of 74 people have been arrested and detained, including legal observers and journalists.”
On November 19, 2021, PBI-Canada was present outside the courthouse and RCMP detachment in Smithers in solidarity with the land defenders and water protectors arrested the previous day by militarized RCMP.
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