Anti
Anti-fracking protesters on the Seaway International Bridge at Akwesasne, Mohawk territory, Nov 9, 2013.
Akwesasne Anti-fracking Protest Briefly Closes Seaway International Bridge
OTTAWA — The Seaway International Bridge between Cornwall and the U.S. was closed for about an hour Saturday as First Nations protesters staged an “information march” in opposition to hydraulic fracking gas extraction processes.
First Nations Granted Delay On Shell’s Tar Sands Project
Earlier this week the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) announced that a federal decision on Shell Oil’s Jackpine Mine Expansion, a 100,000 barrel per day open pit tar sands mine expansion, would be delayed an additional 35 days. At the heart of this decision is the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation who has been speaking out against the project since day one citing a variety of concerns relating to treaty and aboriginal rights as well as direct and cumulative environmental impacts.
Colombia: Mine Opponents Assassinated
Cesar García, a campesino leader who opposed the mining operations of AngloGold Ashanti at La Colosa in the central Colombian department of Tolima, was assassinated Nov. 2 by an unknown gunman as he worked his small farm at the vereda (hamlet) of Cajón la Leona. Supporters said he had been targeted for his work with the Environmental Campesino Committee of Cajamarca, the local municipality. In a statement, the Network of Tolima Environmental and Campesino Committees said the Cajamarca group had been “stigmatized as enemies of progress in the region,” and falsely linked to the guerilla movement.
Pipeline Solidarity: Informal Anarchist Front Attacks Bank of Canada, Chevron
11th November
11th November
Early morning, on Wednesday November 6th a Royal Bank Of Canada had all 2 of their ATMs smashed and 4 of their windows. This was an easy target as it was far on East Hastings in Burnaby. The RBC was attacked because they help fund the most destructive project on earth, the Alberta Tar Sands.
The next early morning, a Chevron on 1st and Nanaimo had 9 of its 12 pumps smashed, effectively shutting it the fuck down. This has no doubt cost Chevron tens of thousands of dollars due to damages and lost revenue. It was easily done with a hammer and took about 1-3 swings each pump. Chevron was attacked because it is a majority shareholder of the Pacific Trail Pipeline. The Pacific Trail Pipeline (PTP) is an already approved Natural Gas pipeline but the Unist’ot’en have built a blockade right on the path of this pipeline. As anarchists we have nothing but solidarity for the Unist`oten and will do everything we can to assist them in their struggle against all corporations who wish to destroy their land and the colonial governments who wish to assist the corporations as it runs parallel with the anarchist struggle.
To other activists and environmental groups[:] this anti-pipelines movement will either be anti-capitalist or nothing. It will either be a mix of violent tactics and peaceful ones or it will be ineffective. It will either be against this colonial government or unsuccessful. We understand the misery and despair of this society and capitalism can be very uninspiring and depressing but there is nothing more liberating, while this society exists, than to smash, burn, loot and bomb something that is smashing your life everyday.We hope these actions inspires you to take some risks. Find your comfort zone and then challenge it.
We understand that it can be scary to commit illegal acts so its best to start small and gain your confidence and skills. Try posturing around your city and move on to paint bombing to targeted graffiti. So on and so forth. The best way to break a window is on the corner where there is less flex. An ATM takes one or two strikes with an hard object. Be careful with ATMs through they usual have high definition cameras so cover your whole face. Glasses or snow goggles would work great. Dress is loose black clothing bearing no log[o]s. If you use other clothing ditch it right after. Black shoes work great. You can also wear different colour shoes and wear socks over them and ditch the socks after you caused some havoc.
FUCK PACIFIC TRAIL PIPELINE! FUCK THE NORTHERN GATEWAY PROJECT!
DESTROY WHAT DESTROYS YOU!
NO PIPELINES ON STOLEN NATIVE LAND!
FAI – Informal Anarchist Front
LONG LIVE ANARCHY!
SOLIDARITY FROM OCCUPIED COAST SALISH TERRITORY TO COMRADES WORLDWIDE
Mi’kmaq Warrior Society Members Beaten in Jail
1st November
1st November
Two members of the Mi’kmaq Warrior Society say they were roughed up and beaten by RCMP officers and jail guards after they were arrested following a heavily-armed raid on a Mi’kmaq led anti-fracking camp in New Brunswick earlier this month.
Jason Augustine, Warrior Society district chief, said he was kicked in the head by an RCMP officer after he was cuffed and arrested during the Oct. 17 raid.
Augustine said he was later diagnosed with a concussion at the hospital in Moncton, NB.
“I was kicked in the head three times when I was taken down,” said Augustine. “I wasn’t resisting arrest, I had my hands behind my back, and this one RCMP started bashing my head in.”
Augustine said he was nodding-off while he was held in one of the cells with other warriors at the Codiac RCMP detachment in Moncton. He claimed his head was hit against the wall as he was being taken to the ambulance.
“One of the guys called the guards up and said I needed an ambulance,” said Augustine. “The RCMP picked me up, they roughed me up and hit my head against the wall when they were taking me to the hospital.”
David Mazerolle, another Warrior Society member, claimed in a YouTube video that Aaron Francis was beaten while handcuffed as he was being taken to a cell at the South East Regional Correction Centre in Shediac, NB.
Augustine and Mazerolle, who were released from custody last Friday, both said they were denied use of the telephone.
Augustine said all six of the warriors kept in custody following the raid were put into solitary confinement.
An official at the correction centre referred queries on the allegations to New Brunswick’s Public Safety department. The department did not return telephoned and emailed requests for comment.
RCMP spokesperson Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh said she would look into the issue before providing a response.
A total of 40 people were arrested the day of the raid which spiralled into chaos after members of the Elsipogtog First Nation clashed with police.
The RCMP raid, which included tactical unit members wearing camouflage and wielding assault weapons, freed several vehicles owned by a Houston-based company doing shale gas exploration work in the region. The anti-fracking camp was blocking SWN Resources Canada’s trucks from leaving a compound in Rexton, NB.
Augustine and Mazerolle face several charges including forcible confinement, mischief, assaulting a peace officer and escaping lawful custody.
Augustine also denied RCMP allegations that the warriors forcibly confined security guards employed by Industrial Securities Ltd in the compound holding SWN’s vehicles.
Augustine said the security guards were escorted by the RCMP at the beginning and end of their shifts.
“They were not held unlawfully,” he said. “They stayed there until their shift changes.”
Augustine also denied RCMP allegations that the warriors uttered death threats or brandished weapons at the security guards.
“There were no death threats, we had nobody in confinement and we had no weapons,” he said.
The RCMP held a press conference following the raid where they displayed three rifles and ammunition seized during the raid. The RCMP said officers also found crude explosive devices.
Augustine claimed the guns and explosives were planted after the raid.
“I do believe they were planted, they knew we wanted peace,” said Augustine. “They had a one track mind to hurt the warrior society.”
Augustine said the warriors were prepared to negotiate the release of SWN’s vehicles.
“They kept telling me, ‘we just want the trucks out’ and I said I was going to our War Chief to tell him to get the trucks out,” said Augustine.
Augustine said he was shot four times by RCMP officers using bean-bag rounds.
He said two RCMP officers presented the warriors with tobacco bundles the night before the raid.
Augustine said his main defence against the charges will be to demand a hearing before an international court.
“Under our treaty laws we have to go to international court,” said Augustine. “We can’t be under the Crown because we are not under the Indian Act, we are treaty people.”
Since spring 2013, RCMP in New Brunswick arrested 82 people in connection with anti-fracking related protests
Unist’ot’en Camp Site of Late Night Bombing
29th October
29th October
An attempt to destroy the main Unist’ot’en sign with a home-made explosive accelerant occurred last night at approximately 10:20 p.m.
The Unist’ot’en camp located around 70 kilometres south of Houston has been in place since 2010 in response to proposed pipelines such as Enbridge’s Northern Gateway and Pacific Trails’ liquid natural gas line.
Last night individuals living at the camp heard what sounded like a gunshot and they immediately took steps to make sure they were protecting themselves.
“We were in the main cabin and a soon as we heard the bang we shut off our lights, grabbed firearms, went outside and fired a warning shot,” Toghestiy (Warner Naziel) said.
Toghestiy investigated the scene on the north side of the bridge where he could see fire burning. He found a few canisters of ‘accelerant’ bound together with bright green surveyor tape and a long trail of ‘accelerant’ leading north along the road away from the bridge, which was used to reach the canisters, he said.
“When I was approaching the site I could see headlights heading away from the bridge,” Toghestiy said.
The Unist’ot’en have renewed the traditional protocol of free, prior and informed consent in regards to accessing Unist’ot’en territory for any reason.
To accomplish the protocol a soft blockade has been employed on a bridge crossing the Morice River, where every person wishing to enter Unist’ot’en land has to answer questions. One such question is: How will your visit benefit the Unist’ot’en? Failure to give satisfactory answers gives the Unist’ot’en grounds to prevent access for whatever purpose sought.
One group of young men from the Houston area have reportedly taken issue with the Unist’ot’en protocol, Freda Huson, Unist’ot’en member and resident of the camp, said.
“A group complained to the RCMP about our protocol,” Huson said, but she’s not sure if it’s the same group responsible for last night’s event.
RCMP have yet to investigate the scene.
A hunter from the Tumbler Ridge area, who answered the protocol questions properly, shared that he heard a group of young men were angrily talking about the Unist’ot’en and the group claimed they were going to ‘do something about it’, Huson said.
“It may have been the people who honked at the bridge but didn’t wait for us to come ask the protocol questions,” Huson said. “I believe it’s the same group that destroyed our sign at the 44 kilometre mark.”
The Unist’ot’en are asking anyone with information about who is responsible for last nights events to please contact the Houston RCMP at 250-845-2204.
Mi’kmaq Anti-Fracking Update: Two Warriors Released on Bail, Four Others Remain in Jail
One of some 40 people arrested b
One of some 40 people arrested by RCMP on Oct 17, 2013. CBC News,Oct 25, 2013
Bail hearings for 3 others continue; 1 denied bail Thursday
Two of six protesters who were held in custody following the shale-gas protest confrontation near Rexton, N.B., last week have been released on bail.
Jason Augustine and David Mazerolle were released on a number of conditions and will be back in court next month to enter a plea. The pair face various charges, including mischief, unlawful confinement, escaping lawful custody, obstructing a peace officer and assaulting a peace officer.
Thursday another protester, Coady Stevens, was denied bail. He remains in custody and is to enter a plea on November 1.
The six men — Stevens, Augustine, Mazerolle, Aaron Francis, Germain Junior Breau, and James Sylvester Pictou — face 37 charges in all.
Bail hearings are continuing for the other three jailed protesters. They’ve been in custody since their arrest eight days ago.
The six were among 40 people arrested when RCMP broke up a weeks-long protest against shale gas exploration on Route 134 in Rexton. The protesters were preventing SWN from accessing seismic-testing vehicles and equipment in its compound in the area. The exploration company had obtained a court injunction ordering that it be allowed access to its vehicles and be allowed to carry out exploration work without harassment.
‘No means no’
After being released, Augustine hugged his wife and mother outside the Moncton Law Courts.
“It’s good to be out,” he said. “It’s not good to see my bros that are still in there be incarcerated for something that we believe is right to save.”
Augustine said he and his fellow warriors were arrested trying to save the province from the dangers of shale gas development.
“We are there for our Mother Earth. We’re not there to uphold politics. Politics this, politics that. No way. Just say no, and no means no.”
Aboriginal leaders have not said they are absolutely against shale gas development, however.
“They’re not saying no to all resource development,” Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo said during a visit to Elsipogtog First Nation on Thursday. “Just saying not yes at all costs.”
Meanwhile, Elispogtog Chief Aaron Sock said the issue of resource development should be dealt with after going to court to deal with aboriginal land claims.
Augustine said his opinion hasn’t changed.
“Shawn Atleo and Aaron Sock have to understand — this is a Mi’kmaq territory land. You can’t destroy our Mi’kmaq territory land, no matter how much people are trying.”
New Protest Camp at Wisborough Green and Kirdford Proposed Drill Site
26th October A small band of anti-fracking campaigners who wished to be known as ‘protectors’ have set up camp on land adjacent to Celtique Energie’s proposed drill site.
26th October A small band of anti-fracking campaigners who wished to be known as ‘protectors’ have set up camp on land adjacent to Celtique Energie’s proposed drill site.
Many of them have spent time in Balcombe, protesting against Cuadrilla’s drilling activities.
Talking from their camp, where they have permission from the land owner to temporarily reside, one of the group said: “I’m here because the country is on the brink of what could possibly be the most intense environmental catastrophe that we have ever known, and that its sneaked in under the radar of good sense, under the radar of democracy, and people aren’t aware just how dangerous fracking can be, particularly in this country where we are riddled with fault lines.”
Tim, who preferred not to give his surname and age, added: “It is a matter of great urgency that every body stands up and gets active now.
“We’re all activists now and that is how it is – one way or another the country is being industrialised, and it is time for everybody to stand up.”
Fellow ‘protector’ Prajna spoke of one of our ‘existential rights’ – water, saying it is under threat by the process of hydraulic fracturing which uses high pressure water laced with chemicals to stimulate oil and gas reserves trapped in rock beneath the ground.
The 53 year old, who travels with his 46 year partner Kali, spent two months at Balcombe before arriving in Kirdford about two weeks ago.
“If fracking were to take place in Wisborough Green and Kirdford it would be disastrous for this local environment,” said Kali. “But equally it is going to be disastrous for the whole island – poisoned water supplies.
“It is going to affect absolutely every individual and if the water is contaminated than we shall be dependent on corporations who bring it in from elsewhere.”
A 27 year old called Dominic added: “I’ve come here to raise awareness among local people about fracking – it is an attack on the natural ecosystems of the area.”
Kris, sporting an impressive ginger moustache, said he had been brought up in the oil industry and had lived all around the world, but was now totally disillusioned with the sector for many reasons.
But chief amongst these, he said: “There is a very substantial risk of contaminating the water table.”
Asked why those we spoke to were reticent to give their full names, they said it could give the authorities and corporations a hold over them, and raised concerns about the might of the organisations against which they are campaigning.
———————————————————————————–
One of the most colourful characters we spoke to at the Kirdford camp called himself Bro Rainbow. What follows is a direct transcript of the interview with Bro.
How old are you Bro?
Eternal
Where’s home?
Where the heart is.
Is that right here now?
Always, hope so, otherwise get an ambulance.
Why here right now?
Why right here and now, it’s the only place you can be – here and now – they call it the present – it’s a gift, make the most of it.
Why have you come here?
Because it really actually matters. We are one nation, one tribe, living on a very beautiful space-ship – they call it Earth, but I call it Planet Heart which is just a respelling of Earth.
But actually it is not earth, it is two thirds water and so it is planet Heart, and she is spinning 1,800 mph – can you feel it?
The most amazing life support system that I am aware of in the moment, and what’s going on? Just delusion, truly, and madness. And the future generations are going to look back and they will just be incredulous at what has been happening up until this point.
Basically, do we truly need it? This gas, this fracking, this desecration of the Mother, this ruination of our water, our air, our soil – is it needed?
Yes, because we need to change our consciousness and we need to rise above, that’s from my heart to yours, that we all might live true.
And here’s a poem:
“Listen’t to the mustn’ts child
Listen to the don’ts
Listen to the wouldn’ts, couldn’ts, shouldn’ts and the won’ts,
Listen very closely,
Then listen close to me,
Anything can happen,
And anything can be,
And in the potential reality that I want to exist in, this is not happening – ok.
They say that an English woman’s home is her castle, I say women because we’re women and man, we’re two sided,
We’re not all right, we’re half right, half left.”
That’s the truth of it, otherwise we’d fall over, and hopefully, straight up the middle,
Straight up, fracking is wrong and that is why I am here because I feel it intensely within me, and I am voting with my feet and my whole being, to be here to say please, let’s go in a different direction.
Bless
Solidarity Protests and Blockades Ignite Across Turtle Island in Solidarity with Mi’kmaq
18th October
18th October
The RCMP retreat from the Mi’qmak blockade has not stemmed the outrage against the Canadian government’s ruthless attack yesterday on the peaceful Mi’qmak blockade. As Southwestern Energy attempts to extend the injunction against the Mi’qmak, solidarity protests are spreading throughout Turtle Island.
Numerous infrastructure points throughout Canada were snarled by indigenous blockades in the immediate aftermath of the state invasion of the Mi’qmak. At least 30 solidarity protests are also being undertaken according to Idle No More.
According to Santa Cruz Indigenous Solidarity, by 3pm yesterday six peaceful highway and bridge blockades had been errected at Roads in Burnt Church (NB), Tobique (NB), Esgenoopetitj (NB), Hamilton (ON) and Six Nations (ON).
The Listuguj Mi’Gmaq built a tipi on the VanHorne bridge, blocking traffic on the Quebec-New Brunswick border.
In Winnipeg, protestors tied up traffic at the intersection of Portage and Main, burning a Canadian flag to protest against the Crown’s historic betrayal of First Nations treaty rights. Police appeared to be clearing the way for the march, halting traffic at numerous points.
In Montreal, members of the Mohawk nation gathered to show solidarity. During the RCMP crackdown on the Mi’kmaq Blockade, many observers compared the state’s repressive response to the 1990 Oka Crisis, which saw the Mohawk resist development on their lands for months.
New York, Washington, DC, and numerous other cities across the US have also seen solidarity demonstrations.
There is a call for solidarity for today and tomorrow, which happens to be an international day of action against fracking (the #globalfrackdown http://www.globalfrackdown.org/). The day of solidarity will use the hash tag #INDIGENIZE, with organizers sending report backs and media updates to ReclaimTurtleIsland [at] gmail [dot] com.
Mi’kmaq Blockade Update: RCMP Has Withdrawn, Resistance Continues
18th October by Trashfire / Earth First! News
18th October by Trashfire / Earth First! News
After a day of clashes yesterday, the police withdrew around 7pm to cheers from the crowd.
40 people are reported arrested and 5 police vehicles were burned.
No One Is Illegal reports these lists of solidarity actions – Google Docs
Yesterday saw many emergency solidarity actions including a major throughway being shutdown in Winnipeg.
Today is a day of action called for by the Mi’kmaq earlier this week.
Tomorrow is another day of action against fracking organized under the banner Global Frackdown.
There has also been a request that supporters call the premier of New Brunswick to express concerns over the RCMP’s actions against the Mi’kmaq – .New Brunswick Premier – David Alward
Email: premier@gnb.ca
Phone: (506) 453-2144
Fax : (506) 453-7407
Charges for those arrested included firearms offences, uttering threats, intimidation, mischief and for refusing to abide by a court injunction.
The protesters arrested were taken to three different communities where they are expected in court Friday morning around 9:30 to face charges. Police spread the arrested protesters out in an effort to prevent the courthouses being overwhelmed by protest supporters during the arraignments.
Chief Aaron Sock was among those arrested in the clash. He and a few of his band council members were released a few hours after their arrests.
Sock is the leader of the band that has been blockading Route 134 near Rexton since Sept. 30.
On Oct. 1, Sock issued an eviction notice to SWN Resources of Canada. His band and his band council planned to pass a resolution preventing the government and shale gas companies from continuing their work by reclaiming all unoccupied reserve land and giving it back to First Nations.
The road between Rexton and Highway 11 has been the scene of the protest, involving a coalition of natives and non-natives opposed to shale gas exploration.
Protesters moved into the area on Sept. 30, initially establishing a barricade to the staging area used by SWN Resources Canada to park its exploration vehicles and equipment.
The protest progressed to the point where barricades were also established on the road, preventing traffic from going through.
SWN Resources went to the Court of Queen’s Bench and successfully sought an injunction to end the protest.
During a hearing, court was told SWN Resources is losing $60,000 every day its seismic exploration trucks remain blockaded in the compound off Route 134.
Video by the Stimulator (click for video) and @stimulator on for up to the minute updates
Romanian Villagers 3-day Occupation Forces Chevron to Stop Fracking
18th October
18th October
US energy giant Chevron said Thursday it has suspended shale gas test drilling in northeastern Romania after three days of protests by villagers opposed to fracking.
“Chevron can today confirm it has suspended activities in Silistea, Pungesti commune, Vaslui county,” a press release read.
The move comes a day after Romanian police clashed with villagers who have occupied since Monday a field to prevent Chevron from drilling its first exploration well.
The protesters are afraid of the environmental and health impact of the highly controversial drilling method used to unlock shale gas, called hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’.
The technique consists of pumping water and chemicals at high pressure into deep rock formations to free oil and gas, with environmentalists warning the process may contaminate ground water and even cause small earthquakes.
Chevron has permits to explore for shale gas in three villages in this impoverished part of northeastern Romania as well as on Romania’s Black Sea coast.
“Our priority is to conduct … activities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner consistent with the permits under which we operate,” the group said Wednesday.
No Dash for Gas Protestors Have Sentences Quashed
18th October from No Dash for Gas
Six activists out of 21 who shut down EDF’s West Burton Gas power station last year walked free from Nottingham Crown Court today, taking the total number of those given conditional discharges to eleven. Lawrence Carter, Hannah Davey, Alistair Cannell, Aneaka Kellay, Ewa Jasiewicz, and David Shakespeare had their sentences for Aggravated Trespass overturned on appeal.
All six had been sentenced to 150 hours community service. None had any previous convictions.
Five protesters received conditional discharges in June when the 21 initially appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court.
The convictions had been for taking part in the UK’s longest ever power station protest which lasted eight days from October 29th – November 5th of last year.
The protesters, all from the group No Dash for Gas, had camped up two 80 meter Chimney flues for a week in protest at government plans to build up to 40 new gas power stations and make the UK reliant on gas for the next 30 years.
The group argues that the ‘dash for gas’ which also includes drilling for shale gas will exacerbate climate change, crash the UK’s legal obligations to cut carbon emissions and keep millions stuck in crippling fuel poverty.
EDF sued the group for £5million damages but were forced to drop their claim after widespread protest, loss of customers and a successful social media campaign which saw 64,000 people sign a petition in support of the group in less than four weeks.
The remaining ten protesters from the group chose not to pursue an appeal on legal advice.
Ewa Jasiewicz said ‘This is yet another victory for civil disobedience in defence of our climate and against fuel poverty. As energy companies ramp up their prices and millions turn to foodbanks and suffer cold homes and winter deaths, we believe another energy system is possible – one that values people and planet over profit. One that is democratically controlled and based on sustainable, clean energy. Both are not just possible, they are vital if we want to avoid catastrophic climate change and ensure not just real energy security, but social and economic security for all’.
David Shakespeare said ‘Direct action is a vital part of creating social change – this is why, after petitions, letters and all other means failed, we took a stand and shut down the first of up to 40 new gas power stations last year. Whether it’s protecting the Arctic, camping against Fracking or occupying power stations, all these acts of principled protest are part of a movement that is acting to safeguard the future of generations to come. We need to keep the pressure up until governments act in the public interest’.