Gatineau (Qc): Cops evict and arrest Native defenders of archeological site, for a development

From Citizens

GATINEAU — The “sacred fire” at a 3,000-year-old aboriginal archeological site in Gatineau was stamped out and six people arrested Thursday when Gatineau police moved in to evict protesters who had been camping out in teepees for the past month.

The city obtained an injunction Thursday afternoon to remove the protesters and gave them a 6:45 deadline to clear out.

But they refused.

Roger Fleury, one of the organizers, had gone to court to ask for more time to prepare a defence. When he returned to the site, which the aboriginal protesters say is sacred, with the news that he had failed, he didn’t apologize. Tossing the injunction into the “sacred fire” at the centre of the campsite, he said:

“We’ll go to jail.”

Minutes after the deadline, about 15 police vehicles arrived. Officers « asked » the protesters to leave peacefully, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“This is our land, we gave it to you,” cried Audrey Redman, one of the protesters. “Instead you take us to your prison!”

Ongoing clash at Elsipogtog, SWN and RCMP breaks in!

UPDATE  (Nov. 18):

Mi’kmaq claim another highway victory in ongoing battle against shale gas exploration

UPDATE (Nov. 15): 

Elsipogtog grassroots declare “victory” on the highway, while leadership aims to stop SWN in courtroom

Note: THERE IS MAINSTREAM MEDIA BLACKOUT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW OVER ELSIPOGTOG. As we publish this, highway 11 has been shut down by RCMP to prevent supporters from coming in, and SWN testing is going on, with scarce, pacifist resistance.  Anyone coming across those news and Tweets, please SPREAD THIS!

Some up-to-date Tweets (use safely):

#Elsipogtog

#ElsipogtogSolidarity

@apihtawikosisan

@Osmich