RCMP attack on fracking protest, 17 Oct 2013

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On October 17, 2013, one day before the first hearing on the merits of an injunction gained by SWN Resources Inc., the RCMP attacked a longstanding anti-hydraulic-fracturing protest against its own undertaking not to - until the hearing. Firsthand accounts [1] clarify that the RCMP initiated the violence and provoked further violence. In particular, by armed officers shouting genocidally racist legal positions at the crowd that are quite contrary to all Canadian jurisprudence:

• “Crown land belongs to the government, not to fucking natives,” - APTN’s Ossie Michelin heard one of the camouflaged officers involved in the raid shout to protestors." [2]

Also, firsthand reports establish that no police cars were set on fire by the time all of the protesters had been cleared to the RCMP satisfaction. This occurred afterward.

Neutral observers have agreed that the attack was unjustified and unconstitutional and in defiance of standing practice of dealing with First Peoples disputes [3]. Grand Council had already evicted SWN and declared its actions illegal under Canadian and Mi'mkaq law. [4]

Prisoners and criminal charges

Some criminal charges were immediately dismissed, suggesting they were false arrest for political or corrupt purposes.

Status as of October 31, 2013 of prisoners taken in the raid/attack:

• Seven Barnard - released on Oct. 18
• Coady Stevenson - refused bail, remanded to Nov. 1 for plea
• David Mazerolle - granted bail
• Jason Augustine - granted bail
• Germaine Breau - waived bail, requested speedy trial
• Aaron Francis - waived bail, requested speedy
• James Pictou - remanded, bail hearing Nov. 1

Civil suits

A civil SLAPP_against_anti-fracking_protest,_2013 was proceeding as of October 31.

References

More news articles on the RCMP attack on fracking protest, 17 Oct 2013 [5] and a rabble.ca backgrounder [6] with more links especially to APTN news stories.

Critical background / original documents:

• SWN ex parte interlocutory injunction (issued October 3, set aside October 18)
  • injunction documents: SWN submissions to the court 3 Oct 2013 court documents
• Wilhelmina (Willi) Nolan Statement re SWN Injunction 18 Oct 2013 court document
  • Willi Nolan Statement re SWN Injunction 18 Oct 2013
• SWN had previously been evicted by Migmag Grand Council district authorities
  • SWN forced to pay damages and leave New Brunswick Mi'gmag historic directive media release 2013
  • Signigtog Mi'kmaq reclaim stewardship of native lands Media Release, Mi'kmaq Treaty Day, October 1, 2013 with Briefing Notes for Chief Aaren Sock re: BCR - Reclaiming Stewardship of Native lands - [Talk:Signigtog Mi'kmaq reclaim stewardship of native lands]
  • media release SWN Forced to Pay Damages and leave New Brunswick Signigtog Migmag Issue Historic Directive to Fracking Co collective right of the people of Signigtog August 2013
  • swn-issued-notice-of-eviction-by-geptin-mikmaq-grand-council-signigtog-district Signigtog Mi'kmaq assert legal authority to evict developers July 2013
• The eviction was supported by local governments and other citizens:
  • Community Statement Against Fracking In our Ecosystem - UpRiver Environment Watch community support of authority of Original people of Signigtog April 2012
  • NBEN Letter of Support of Notice to evict SWN Resources Canada from Signigtog Territory collective letter from New Brunswick alliance against shale gas development April 2012

A shale gas moratorium new brunswick has been called for, and a shale gas referendum in NB has also.