RCMP say that social media rhetoric leading up to their injunction enforcement on Wet’suwet’en territory last week left them expecting more resistance.
Militarized teams of tactical officers descended on two camps along the Wedzin Kwa, or Morice River, last week.
As a result, 29 supporters were arrested, who have all now been released on various conditions.
But, those arrested at the blockades claimed harsh treatment both during the enforcement, and while in custody.
RCMP say that their threat assessment was heightened based on social media posts calling for “war”, something they say they hadn’t experienced during the prior two enforcements.
But, when they went through with the operation, they were, to their surprise, met with significantly less physical resistance than they had prepared for.
Members of the Gidimt’en clan have released footage from the arrests, featuring heavily equipped officers apprehending unarmed land defenders.
Media is what keeps forces accountable for their actions on either side of the struggle. RCMP actions and opposition to pipelines should have equal accountability. We only need to look as far as Standing Rock to see how far Governments through police actions will go and continue imposing their will over First Nations and Canadian rights to protest.