Secwépemc launch Unceded Law Response Group (ULRG), determine C-IRG is committing war crimes on Indigenous territories

Photo: Unceded Law Response Group Chief Commissioner April Thomas, Associate Commissioner Shawna Knight, Commissioner Mike McKenzie.

IndigiNews reports: “Following years of violent arrests at industry injunction sites throughout the province [of British Columbia], Secwépemc leaders have launched a response group that is dedicated to preventing harm against the land and its defenders.”

“The Unceded Law Response Group (ULRG) officially went live this month, announcing it would utilize Indigenous law and related policies to uphold sovereignty on unceded lands and provide resources for those on the front lines.”

That article adds: “The group’s mandate pushes back against the colonial legal system and how it’s been weaponized against Indigenous land defenders — with B.C. Supreme Court-ordered injunction orders that protect corporate interests and the RCMP’s Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG) using force to protect resource extraction projects.”

The ULRG website notes: “[A Secwépemc] delegation reviewed extensive evidence presented from both sides to the public, establishing a chain of events leading to a preliminary verdict, so [Commissioners] Mike [McKenzie], April [Thomas], and Shawna [Knight] inherently determined, in their opinion, that the RCMP C-IRG involvement at the Fairy Creek Blockade, Ada’itsx, among other illegal activities by government and police forces, is a harmful and illegal occupation by a foreign and paramilitary organization committing war crimes on unceded and unsurrendered Indigenous territories.”

The IndigiNews article further explains: “[McKenzie says the ULRG will] serve as a space to fill in that gap for land defenders to find resources, legal assistance and connect with other Indigenous land defenders when the support from chief and council isn’t there.”

“The group’s website has a resource menu that lists a number of services that people can access, everything from RCMP complaints [through the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission], legal aid, Indigenous law documents and more.”

The article also highlights: “The group is also in the process of launching a foundation so that they can receive charitable status, and they received consent from the Law Society of B.C. to use the word ‘law’ in the foundation’s name.”

The home-page can be found at Unceded Law Response Group.