A group of pipeline protesters gathered outside of B.C. Premier John Horgan's home this morning and attempted what they call a "citizen's arrest."
The Extinction Rebellion Vancouver Island formed the blockade outside of Horgan's family home in Langford before he was set to discuss the 2020 provincial budget at the legislature.
"We Stand With The Wet’suwet’en – No More Crimes Against Humanity," stated the group in a Facebook post.
"We are not Trespassing. The RCMP is Trespassing. We are not Trespassing. Coastal Gas Link is Trespassing. We are not Trespassing. John Horgan is Trespassing. We are not Trespassing. CANADA is Trespassing."
The group also remarked that it is acting with, "more legal authority than the RCMP, Coastal Gas link, John Horgan or Justin Trudeau."
"It is acting in recognition of Wet’suwet’en, Canadian and international law. Upholding the law is the responsibility of every settler citizen."
B.C. Liberal Party leader Andrew Wilkinson tweeted about the blockade, condeming the actions of the protesters and stating that, "No one in B.C. should ever feel unsafe in their homes or at their workplace. This is not how democracy works and this is not how we treat each other here."
I strongly condemn the actions of protestors at the home of @jjhorgan this morning. No one in B.C. should ever feel unsafe in their homes or at their workplace. This is not how democracy works and this is not how we treat each other here. #bcpoli
— Andrew Wilkinson (@Wilkinson4BC) February 18, 2020
The demonstration follows a week of protests across the country, including one that blocked off the Granville Street Bridge in both directions following a rally at the B.C. Supreme Court.
Thousands of B.C. forestry workers and their supporters are also planning to gather for a rally on the B.C. legislature lawn Tuesday afternoon, coinciding with the release of the province’s 2020 budget.
The rally is intended to bring attention to the revenue the forestry industry creates and the people it supports, from loggers and tree fallers to industry suppliers and business owners, said Carl Sweet, a heavy equipment salesman in Campbell River and one of the event’s organizers.
- With files from the Canadian Press.
