All outdoor ceremonial aspects of the speech from the throne, including the rolling out of the red carpet, are cancelled today as Indigenous youth occupy the steps of the legislature building.
A group of Indigenous youth who have blocked the entrance to the legislature building for more than five days is staging another rally this morning blocking all entrances and chanting “people over profit,” hours before the lieutenant-governor is expected to arrive to open a new session of the legislative assembly.
Protestors chanted “shame” as they parted to allow MLAs to enter the building. MLAs declined to comment while they waited for security to give them the go ahead to enter the building.
MLA Lana Popham, minister of agriculture, was turned away after trying to enter the building as protesters refused to move. The protestors also denied entrance to a reporter who tried to get inside.
Protestors chanting “shame” as they part to allow MLAs to enter the building. MLAs declined to comment while they waited for security to give them the go ahead to enter the building. #Wetsuweten pic.twitter.com/caIfcfy0qq
— Roxanne Egan-Elliott (@RoxEganElliott) February 11, 2020
The ceremonial entrance is blocked by demonstrators, who haven’t budged since noon on Thursday. The protest is in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their opposition to Coastal GasLink’s 670-kilometre pipeline from Dawson Creek to Kitimat.
Protesters are also at the Helijet terminal this morning but are not currently blocking the entrances and exits, according to Victoria police.
The red carpet will not be rolled out on the steps in front of the legislature for the arrival of the lieutenant-governor, who is set to read the throne speech in the legislative chamber at 2 p.m.
Other aspects of the opening of the legislature include the Honour Guard, the vice regal’s salute which includes the Naden Band, and the cannons being fired.
Organizers say they want to show the government they have the power to shut the country down. “It will be far costlier for you to force this project through than to revoke the permits from Coastal GasLink,” said Kolin Sutherland-Wilson, addressing Premier John Horgan.
The office of Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin couldn’t say how the demonstration might affect the ceremonial arrival, saying only that they’re taking advice from security officials, who will plan an arrival that maintains her safety.
On Monday evening, hundreds of protesters shut both the Johnson Street Bridge and the Bay Street bridge to vehicle traffic, cutting off major routes to downtown Victoria.
Similar demonstrations nationwide have targeted bridges, ports, banks and busy intersections.
Press gallery members being blocked from entering the building #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/brFA66HxeI
— BC Today (@BCTodayOfficial) February 11, 2020
Sutherland-Wilson said demonstrators are demanding the immediate removal of RCMP officers and Coastal GasLink employees from Wet’suwet’en territory in northern B.C. The next step is fair, nation-to-nation consultation between the government and hereditary chiefs, he said.
“It won’t be easy. The discussions will take time to address past injustices,” Sutherland-Wilson said.
The RCMP began enforcing a court injunction last week against protesters camped near a pipeline work site in Houston. Mounties said 14 people were arrested and expected to appear in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday.
On Thursday, a group of 20 to 30 Indigenous youth gathered at the entrance to the B.C. legislature at noon and have stayed put, while a small settlement of tents filled with sleeping bags, sleeping mats, warm clothing and food has grown at the foot of the stairs.
Supporters gathered at the legislature for rallies on Friday, Saturday and Monday and marched through downtown streets, occupying a bank on Friday and the intersection of Fort and Douglas streets on Saturday.
After the intersection occupation, hundreds sat down on the Johnson Street Bridge for four hours, blocking traffic in both directions.
On Monday, protesters closed Highway 19 near the Comox Valley Parkway and said they’re not going anywhere until the RCMP leaves Wet’suwet’en territory.
“What we’re asking is [that] Premier John Horgan order the RCMP to stand down immediately and exit the land they’re trespassing, and for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to enter into a nation-to-nation engagement with hereditary chiefs who have jurisdiction in Wet’suwet’en territory,” said Deraek Menard, speaking for the group.
On the mainland, protesters began disruptions at ports in Vancouver and nearby Delta on Friday. The ports obtained court injunctions and arrests were made Monday morning.
Demonstrators regrouped and impeded a major rail thoroughfare that feeds into the port.
— With files from the Canadian Press
