The #RCMP are preparing to carry out a #massarrest operation against the indigenous Unist’ot’en Clan of the #Wetsuweten Nation in northwestern BC under Harper government’s #BillC51 labelling as terrorists #FirstNations #activists exercising their #Aboriginal Title and Rights to protect their lands from oil and gas development, according to a joint statement by the groups supporters. The #Conservatives’ controversial anti-terror act criminalizes protests that may be seen as interfering with ‘the economic or financial stability of #Canada’ and opponents of the bill had long feared that it would be used to stifle opposition to oil pipelines aggressively promoted by #PrimeMinister #StephenHarper. The RCMP have made a number of visits to the #Unistoten as well as other First Nations leadership regarding the Unist’ot’en camp, located on the shores of the #WedzinKwah and mouth of the #GosnellCreek, tributaries to the #Skeena, #Bulkley, and #BabineRivers. The activists have been protesting against the proposed #EnbridgePipeline and #PacificTrailsPipeline (#Chevron), which are planned to cross the river at the exact points of our Pithouse, and Permaculture Garden that was built on the Unist´ot´en Territory of Talbits Kwah. Today over fifty individuals and organizations have issued a letter to the provincial government, federal government and RCMP to express support for the Unist’ot’en Camp. “The courageous stand taken by the Unist’ot’en and their supporters must not be criminalized by the RCMP nor targeted by government,” states Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Through the draconian Bill C51, the federal government is attempting to brand people defending the land and water as ‘security threats.’ The Unist’ot’en are heroes, while the real threat is this government destroying the planet and economy.”
