First Nations protest shale gas development in Canada

I don’t know much about this, but I thought I’d at least flag that it’s happening:

Ontario Provincial Police are on scene at a protest that has blocked traffic south of Caledonia on Highway 6 in Haldimand County. A group of about 40 First Nations protesters have created a peaceful blockade on the highway near the Fifth Line, according to Const. Mark Foster . . . .

According to Turtle Island News, the protesters are demonstrating in support of the Elsipogtog First Nations in New Brunswick, where shale gas protesters and RCMP trying to enforce an injunction clashed this evening, leading to at least five police vehicles being set on fire and the arrest of a First Nations chief.

In a news release, the RCMP said that in New Brunswick, more than 40 protesters have been arrested for various offences including firearms offences, uttering threats, intimidation, mischief and for refusing to abide by a court injunction.

Here‘s more on the violence in New Brunswick:

Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers and at least five police vehicles were set ablaze during a confrontation on Thursday between the RCMP and protesters of a proposed shale gas development in New Brunswick . . . .

Protester Melina Augustine, who says she was arrested for obstruction, described the confrontation to CTV Atlantic.

She said there were around 100 officers at the protest.

“It just got wild and they all tackled us down,” she said, adding that her 67-year-old mother was tackled.

A councillor from the Elsipogtog First Nation said police used pepper spray on the crowd of protesters.

“They sprayed the crowd that was there,” Robert Levi told The Canadian Press in an interview. “The chief was manhandled a little bit and all hell broke loose.”

In a police statement, Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh said “The RCMP has worked diligently with all parties involved in hopes for a peaceful resolution. Those efforts have not been successful.”