Filed under: Canadian Tire Fire, Featured
Cover image: @Gidimten / @M_Tol
In this week’s column, we present an update on the recent wave of repression and arrests on Wet’suwet’en territory by the RCMP, as well as a roundup of solidarity actions across so-called Canada and beyond. Be sure to listen to a recent interview with Sleydo’ of the Gidimt’en on a recent episode of This Is America, here. We also present an update on the recent flooding and climate change driven chaos that has hit so-called British Columbia.
On this episode of #ThisIsAmerica, we talked to Sleydo’ of @Gidimten about the fight against Coastal Gaslink on #Wetsuweten territory + what the wider environmental movement + fight against #climatechange can learn from their struggle. #ClimateActionNow https://t.co/OI8qJn0Pav pic.twitter.com/r3SAbJPkv1
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 16, 2021
Let’s dive in!
Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Coyote Camp Raided by RCMP
The first signs of an impending RCMP raid on land defenders in Wet’suwet’en territory came on November 17th, when 30-50 RCMP were spotted arriving in Smithers, BC. There was little time between those first signs and the commencement of a brutal raid.
URGENT UPDATE – Dozens of RCMP have deployed onto Wet'suwet'en territory
A charter plane full of RCMP have landed at the Smithers airport, with between 30 and 50 officers equipped with camo duffel bags.
(THREAD) pic.twitter.com/Jpz2vfPOAo
— Gidimt’en Checkpoint (@Gidimten) November 17, 2021
In this time before the raid, an exclusion zone was set up further down the forest road. An RCMP checkpoint was used to deny access to Wet’suwet’en people from their territory. Jen Wickham, who was heading up the road to deliver supplies including heart medication to a Wet’suwet’en elder at 44km, was denied access. The elder, Aunty Janet, was unable to receive her heart medication and was transported to the ER with chest pains the next day following her arrest.
Update – Auntie Janet and her husband Lawrence from the Wet'suwet'en Laksilyu clan have been arrested. https://t.co/78N1lHSK0R
— Michael Toledano (@M_Tol) November 18, 2021
On November 18th, RCMP and CGL workers equipped with bulldozers, snowmobiles, quads, heavy machinery, and all manner of weapons headed towards the Gidimt’en Checkpoint at the 44km mark on Morice Forest Service Road. RCMP propoganda described the raid as a “rescue and enforcement operation.” Claims that Gidimt’en had blocked hundreds of CGL employees in without access to supplies circulated in mainstream media, despite the fact that CGL was given 10 hours to evacuate their workers. It later became clear that CGL did not inform their hundreds of workers that there was an evacuation order, thereby not giving them the option to leave.
The RCMP slowly made it past the various blockades that had been set up along their path, including the spot where the road had been dug up with a liberated CGL excavator.
Yesterday, we took our land back.
With our Haudenosaunee allies, we enforced our ancient trespass laws and have permanently closed access to our territory. The Morice Forest Service Road has been destroyed and access to Coastal Gaslink is no longer possible. pic.twitter.com/TcM0pOi4j6
— Gidimt’en Checkpoint (@Gidimten) November 16, 2021
Once at Gidimt’en Checkpoint at 44km, RCMP arrested 15 land defenders. All were charged only with breaching the injunction.
"CONTENT WARNING: POLICE VIOLENCE.
Violent RCMP Raid on Unarmed Gidimt'en Checkpoint#AllOutForWedzinKwa pic.twitter.com/RxfYmFi1M0
— Gidimt’en Checkpoint (@Gidimten) November 19, 2021
With the exception of elders Aunty Janet and Uncle Lawrence, and one journalist released without charge, the other arrestees were held overnight until a bail hearing at 1:30pm the following day. At the bail hearing, some land defenders agreed to their release conditions, which included keeping the peace and not returning to the exclusion zone, as well as a promise to appear at a later date, and were released that day. Five arrestees refused to sign the release conditions and are being held until another hearing on Monday, November 22 at 11am in Prince George.
anyone who knows @M_Tol or @photobracken knows they would want this same kind of energy also directed to releasing ALL land defenders – incl. @Gidimten spokesperson Sleydo’; Dinï ze’ Woos’ daughter Jocelyn Alec; Cody Merriman (Haida nation) – & standing with #WetsuwetenStrong https://t.co/NHQQCiPUwl pic.twitter.com/0tuEtLXLQD
— Harsha Walia (@HarshaWalia) November 21, 2021
While the arrestees from day one of the raid were being held and processed, the second day of the raid was ongoing. More arrests were made at Gidimt’en checkpoint at 44km, and multiple arrests were made further up the road at Coyote Camp and directly on the nearby site of CGL’s drill pad, on which a cabin had been built. The cabin was broken into with a chainsaw. Among the arrests were Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), the spokesperson, as well as her partner, and the daughter of Dini’ze Woos. In total, an estimated further 15 people were arrested on the second day. These individuals are being held until Monday when they will have a bail hearing.
Solidarity Actions Spread Across So-Called Canada
While the raid on the Wet’suwet’en Yintah escalated, solidarity actions began to pick up in earnest across the country.
In Gitxsan territory, neighbours and ancient allies of the Wet’suwet’en, a rail blockade was quickly initiated. Because of the major flooding in BC, multiple rail lines are already inactive, making the Gitxsan blockade even more impactful. The RCMP came in hard and fast to dismantle it on November 19th.
Heavily armed police with assault rifles on Gitxsan lax yip pic.twitter.com/vb7d3QYaXv
— Kris (@Kris_Statnyk) November 19, 2021
However, community members have remained nearby the tracks and continue to attempt to disrupt rail traffic, leading to a continued RCMP presence beside the tracks. Cops have been escorting trains through the area since.
RCMP now guarding the train tracks in Gitxsan lax yip and providing armed security for CN train to pass. pic.twitter.com/FRUhFUgKf8
— Kris (@Kris_Statnyk) November 19, 2021
In Six Nations, the community reacted to the raid and to the arrest of members of their own community who had been present in Gidimt’en territory. A blockade of the Highway Six Bypass began on November 18th.
The Haudenosaunee are rising to the occasion. Highway 6 Overpass #blocked … #haudenosauneestrong #wetsuwetenstrong #yourturn #justdoit pic.twitter.com/OebjzdjAaJ
— Smogelgem (@smogelgem) November 18, 2021
Shortly thereafter, a huge fire was lit on a second blockade, this time of the CN tracks that run through the community. Both blockades remain active at the time of writing.
A CN rail line running through Six Nations is now closed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/uEw1Fh3w6F
— Likhts’amisyu (Fireweed) Clan (@Likhtsamisyu) November 20, 2021
In Manitoba, the CN and CP tracks that run through Diamond were blocked for several hours.
Warriors have closed both the CN and CP railway line near Diamond MB. The warriors are arguing with CN workers who say they plan to send trains through. The warriors say that won’t happen and are demanding the workers leave. #ShutDownCanada #Alloutforwedzinkwa pic.twitter.com/eWwMcTJ8nf
— Black Powder (@BlackPowder71) November 20, 2021
Following hours of pressure from police, the blockade was removed on the night of November 19th.
Indigenous warriors have ended their blockade of the CN and CP railways at Diamond MB. The police have also left the scene. The warriors say they will continue to show support for the land defenders in #Wetsuweten territory and those arrested. #ShutDownCanada pic.twitter.com/53rmV7OpHY
— Black Powder (@BlackPowder71) November 20, 2021
On the morning of November 19th, some anarchists in Montreal reacted to the first day of the raid by blocking rail traffic for at least 2 hours in the Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood of the city with burning tires on the tracks.
We found this communiqué on @MTLcounterInfo stating that this morning in Montreal, 2 tire fires were lit on the CN railway tracks in the neighbourhood of Pointe-St-Charles #AllOutForWedzinKwa #WetsuwetenStrong #ShutDownCanada (1/3) pic.twitter.com/a6vxbfvNUd
— submedia (@submedia) November 20, 2021
A few days before the raid, a large artery through Montreal was also briefly blocked by picnic tables and burning tires. Then on November 21st, people began a blockade of a railroad.
"For a world without KKKanada"
People in #Montreal blocked railroad tracks in support of #Wetsuweten land defenders.#ShutDownCanada pic.twitter.com/chRQn4LUmk
— Franklin López 🇵🇷 (@Franklin__Lopez) November 22, 2021
A solidarity demonstration is planned in Montreal for November 27th.
#AllOutForWedzinKwa pic.twitter.com/ODxwYT8wUs
— Franklin López 🇵🇷 (@Franklin__Lopez) November 14, 2021
In Nitaskinan (“Lanaudière”), settlers held multiple rail blockades. Their communique called for the immediate multiplication of actions in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and against the colonial government.
Multiple rail blockades in #Atikamekw territory in #Quebec in solidarity with #Wetsuweten land defenders – story in french
https://t.co/r6t29qy2ei#ShutDownCanada pic.twitter.com/3Lyymp0mc5— Franklin López 🇵🇷 (@Franklin__Lopez) November 20, 2021
In so-called Vancouver, a brief rail blockade led by Indigenous youth was dispersed by 40-50 police on the evening of November 19th.
1033 Venables Street, massive (40-50 cops) VPD presence. They have a small group of predominately Indigenous youth completely surrounded in so called Vancouver.
MORE PEOPLE ARE NEEDED NOW! https://t.co/cSyssyHpYD#WetsuwetenStrong #AllEyesOnWetsuweten #ShutCanadaDown
— Amrit (@Amrit_HxH) November 20, 2021
On Bowen Island, a solidarity demonstration was organized at the ferry terminal.
This morning's support demo for Wet'suwet'en at the ferry terminal on Nexwlelexwem (Bowen Island).
In a time of a climate crisis, it's irresponsible to build more fossil fuel infrastructure.
STOP #CoastalGasLink #wetsuwetenstrong #FREESLEYDO
(Photo by co-supporter Gillian) pic.twitter.com/M28ieu4UKf— Anton van Walraven (@AntonvWalraven) November 20, 2021
In Toronto, a large November 19th protest blocked Front Street downtown, and also occupied the building which houses RBC and TC Energy.
Toronto showed up big for #Wetsuweten today! Together we blocked Front St + SHUT DOWN the RBC building where @TCEnergy's offices are. When they refused to come down & receive the trespass notice from @Gidimten they've been ignoring all week, we glued it up. #AllOutForWedzinKwa pic.twitter.com/tE5nkZZmVw
— World BEYOND War Canada (@WBWCanada) November 19, 2021
A second action in Toronto on November 20th blocked traffic downtown as well.
Still a decent crowd in Toronto out for #Wetsuweten #AllOutForWedzinKwa two hours in, but thinning out a bit. pic.twitter.com/3SZpYVPL2h
— Dave Gray-Donald (@dgrdon) November 20, 2021
On November 21st, also in Toronto, a rail blockade stopped train traffic for three hours on CP and CN rails.
#AllOutForWedzinKwa #WetsuwetenStrong #FreeThemAll
All out! Trains stopped in Toronto to support @Gidimten!
Dupont and Bartlett. pic.twitter.com/BC2p6TVkPS
— hussan (@hussansk) November 21, 2021
In Hamilton on November 21st, streets were blocked by a solidarity demo.
Solidarity with land defenders in #Wetsuweten ❤️#alloutforwedzinkwa pic.twitter.com/ipxawvPRMY
— Defund HPS (@DefundHPS) November 21, 2021
In Guelph and Peterborough, solidarity demos were held on November 20, and demo was held November 21 in Halifax.
In Kingston, a solidarity action blocked the Lasalle Causeway on November 21.
The Lasalle Causeway in Kingston is now shut down for a rally in support of the Wet’suwet’en people. pic.twitter.com/LH4qLvIbJw
— Real Peoples Media (@realpeoplesmedi) November 21, 2021
the causeway in kingston has been shutdown in solidarity with wet’suwet’en defending their land. rcmp and cgl get out! pic.twitter.com/yKXc7EDK3G
— Luke Ottenhof (@lukeottenhof) November 21, 2021
In Winnipeg, downtown streets were blocked by a solidarity demonstration.
Another action shutting it down at Portage & Main in #Winnipeg. We won’t stop until #RCMPofftheYintah in solidarity @Gidimten all across so called Canada #AllOutForWedzinKwa #ShutDownCanada 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jh9LhzrLUb
— Laura Cameron (@laurapcameron) November 19, 2021
In Burnaby, BC, RCMP offices were visited by a solidarity demo that then proceeded to block a nearby highway.
Canada Way & Kensington Ave shut down in solidarity with @Gidimten. By the RCMP detachment in Burnaby. #WetsuwetenStrong pic.twitter.com/vANzWDnsNk
— rita wong (@rrrwong) November 19, 2021
In Victoria, streets were blocked near the RCMP headquarters by a large demonstration. Highway 17 was also blocked.
#ShutDownCanada action going strong at #yyj RCMP at Blanshard and Topaz. Join us! #wetsuwetenstrong #ClimateJustice #yyjtraffic pic.twitter.com/XG3Iqr9yQw
— Climate Justice Victoria 🌅 (@CJusticeVic) November 19, 2021
Lekwungen territory
Highway 17 currently blocked in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en and all land defenders arrested 🔥
“SOLIDARITY FROM DAYSTAR AND CREW. RCMP OFF THE YINTAH
FREE ALL ARRESTED LAND DEFENDERS!
Kisakihitin ❤”#WetsuwetenStrong #ShutDownCanada #AllOutForWedzinKwa pic.twitter.com/IyYMKQ4uXp— Gidimt’en Checkpoint (@Gidimten) November 22, 2021
Solidarity actions even spread outside so-called Canada. A banner drop in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en was carried out over a highway in so-called Oakland, CA.
Banner Drop In Oakland for @Gidimten #AllOutForWedzinKwa #wetsuwetenstrong #Wetsuweten pic.twitter.com/CyymB9eAjd
— submedia (@submedia) November 19, 2021
In Claremont, California, students at Claremont McKenna College shut down the campus for six hours. Two of the college’s trustees are owners of KKR, one of the major investors in the CGL pipeline.
Claremont, California. SOURCE: Instagram
For updates about past and ongoing rail and highway blockades, you can consult this editable map.
Solidarity actions are ongoing, so plan something in your area as soon as possible to #ShutDownCanada. You can find actions in your area by checking this thread, and elsewhere, especially with the hashtags #ShutDownCanada and #AllOutForWedzinKwa.
Upcoming Wet'suwet'en solidarity actions, a thread #AllOutForWedzinKwa
— Dylan Penner (@DylanPenner) November 18, 2021
Flooding in Southern BC
Just a months after a deadly and record-breaking heatwave swept across BC, the south of the province is experiencing further effects of climate crisis. This past week, record-breaking rainfalls caused major flooding and mudslides in many parts of southern BC. According to preliminary Environment Canada data, 20 communities experienced record rainfalls on November 14. The flooding forced hundreds to evacuate their homes, and left others stranded as mudslides shut down transportation routes. In multiple communities, water supply has been placed under a boil water advisory, or deemed completely unsafe to consume.
This extreme weather event can be tied closely to the heat waves and wildfires of the summer. Wildfires cause a change in the quality of soil and vegetation, decreasing their water absorbancy and increasing erosion. This, in turn, leads to lower capacity for forests and greenspaces to absorb water and mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall. Both events demonstrate the compounding effect of a rapidly worsening climate crisis.
As so-called Canadian law enforcement pours into unceded Wet'suwet'en territory to defend pipeline construction, the wider region faces a climate state of emergency as storms leave thousands stranded. This is the colonial State in action. This is their response to #climatechange. https://t.co/rYfIz7WIsl pic.twitter.com/1v5cfgi50u
— It's Going Down (@IGD_News) November 19, 2021
Due to the risk of a spill, the Trans Mountain pipeline was shut down in the Hope area as a result of the flooding. The flooding also caused construction of the pipeline to be shut down in the Lower Mainland, Hope, and Merritt regions.
Meanwhile, the Province of BC has declared a State of Emergency for at least 14 days. The Province has justified the decision as a way to “get supply chains moving” and increase government capacity to restore rail and roadways. However, the declaration of a state of emergency has coincided with multi-day raids on land defenders, revealing that the state continues to see economic disruption and Indigenous sovereignty as far more of an emergency than the climate crisis and will continue to allocate resources accordingly.
As always, we welcome news tips at [email protected]! Follow Canadian Tire Fire on Twitter, here.