Indigenous rights, pipeline protesters block main access to Port of Vancouver
Posted February 25, 2020 5:37 am.
Last Updated February 25, 2020 10:32 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – They cleared the way on Monday, meaning West Coast Express service would resume the next morning, but Indigenous rights and pipeline protesters set up a blockade at the main entrance to the Port of Vancouver.
East Hastings at Clark Drive remained closed to traffic in all four directions along with the entrance to the port Tuesday morning. But both the Commissioner and Heatley avenue entrances are open to access the port.
10:26 – #Vancouver – East Hastings at Clark Dr remains closed to traffic in all 4 directions along with the entrance there to the #PortofVancouver. Both the Commissioner and Heatley ave entrances are open to access the Port. https://t.co/QF7ygdqotC
— NEWS 1130 Traffic (@NEWS1130Traffic) February 25, 2020
Dozens of people packed the intersection of Hastings Street and Clark Drive Monday afternoon, shutting down the main entry point to one of the country’s largest and busiest ports.
Many of the demonstrators gathered around a small fire overnight, with things remaining relatively quiet and calm.
The mood was upbeat Tuesday morning, despite a police presence in the area. While officers have an injunction they can enforce, issued to the Port of Vancouver after a separate blockade weeks ago, they’ve only been redirecting traffic, with no signs yet they’ll move to impose the court order.
Few dozen protesters are still in the intersection of Hastings and Clark as of 4:30am Tuesday. Intent is to block traffic accessing Port of Vancouver. Some are gathered around a small fire while others are dancing to the quiet strains of Whitney Houston. pic.twitter.com/MTbF0B5azA
— Mike Lloyd ☕️ (@llikemoyd) February 25, 2020
The injunction prevents protesters from blocking access to the port.
“The disruptions to port operations over the past few weeks have had a significant impact on Canadians across the country, who rely on the businesses that import and export goods through the port for employment and for the products that support each of us every day,” a spokesperson for the Port of Vancouver said.
The only disruption so far to protesters has reportedly been a single person drumming on a bowl, singing Oh Canada loudly in an apparent attempt to wake demonstrators.
— Mike Lloyd ☕️ (@llikemoyd) February 25, 2020
Their response was a cheer of “Wet’suwet’en Strong,” followed by singing of the national anthem.
The Vancouver Police Department has said there are security plans in place, but no further details had been shared.
“Each protest is unique and dealt with individually, decisions on how the VPD deal with each situation is made by our very experienced public safety commanders taking in public safety as our main concern,” a release from the VPD read.
Protesters in Vancouver are standing in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who are fighting a natural pipeline in B.C. through their territory. It’s just one of a number of similar demonstrations that have taken place over the last few weeks, not just in the region but across Canada.
On Monday, police and protesters clashed in Ontario where a blockade was taken down on Tyendinaga Mohawk territory that had been disrupting a major rail line near Belleville. Several people were arrested. Officers had moved in after a midnight deadline for protesters to clear out had expired.
The dramatic scene this morning as OPP moved in on an encampment near a railroad crossing in Tyendinaga. Captured by @realpeoplesmedi on the frontlines, in a statement they write: “we condemn the use of force in Mohawk Territory on people who are standing up for human rights.” pic.twitter.com/5GUopsGdy3
— Tina Yazdani (@TinaYazdani) February 24, 2020
Hours later, the blockades at the Port of Vancouver and along the West Coast Express rail line popped up. A third blockade, this time near New Hazelton along a rail line there has also been set up.
Meanwhile, in Abbotsford, a rail line just west of Sumas has also been blocked by protesters, however, the border does not appear to be affected.
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