3 anti-shale gas protesters arrested in Moncton, New Brunswick
Arrests come just 3 days after company obtained court injunction against protesters
CBC News, Nov 25, 2013
One of three arrests in Moncton, Nov 25, 2013.
Three anti-shale gas protesters were arrested in Moncton on Monday morning, just three days after SWN Resources Canada obtained a court order to keep protesters from interfering with its exploration work.
Two women and one man were arrested in the Caledonia Industrial Park at about 8:45 a.m. for breaching a court order, said RCMP Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh.
She did not specify which court order, or say how the protesters were in violation.
A handful of aboriginal protesters were setting up in a parking lot near a compound for SWN equipment at the time, according to protester Edgar Clair, who was live streaming a video from the scene.
“I suggest you leave the property because you’ll all be arrested,” a police officer can be heard saying.
“I suggest you leave or you’re declaring war right now,” Clair replies.
“The court injunction says we have to be 20 metres, 20 metres parallel to SWN equipment. The way they’re parked, technically we’re allowed to be here,” Clair said.
The arrested individuals are expected to face charges in court on Tuesday.
SWN went to court last Friday, seeking an injunction to keep protesters 20 metres from the side of roads where the company is working and 250 metres away from the front or back of its trucks.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Judy Clendening ruled in favour of the company, ordering protesters not to interfere with SWN’s work and giving police power to enforce the order.
A lawyer for SWN had said the company needs 10 days to complete its exploration for shale gas in New Brunswick.
SWN subcontractors resumed work on Monday, laying geophone lines along Highway 11 between Rexton and Bouctouche, under the watchful eye of police.
“We certainly respect the rights of everybody to demonstrate, as long as they do so in a peaceful, lawful, safe manner,” said Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh.
“We are going to continue to monitor the situation and ensure public safety.”
No protesters were in the immediate area.
Seismic trucks are expected to be testing along Highway 11 within the next few days.
3 shale gas protesters in Moncton, N.B., accused of breaching injunction
RCMP Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh says two women and one man were among a group of protesters who gathered today at a compound in the Caledonia Industrial Park where equipment was stored.
She says most of the protesters dispersed when they were asked to leave, but three people refused to and were arrested.
They are to appear in a Moncton court on Tuesday.
On Friday, SWN Resources was granted an injunction that places restrictions intended to prevent people from interfering with their work.
The injunction is in force until midnight next Monday.
Posted on November 25, 2013, in Oil & Gas and tagged anti-fracking New Brunswick, fracking, Indigenous resistance, Mi’kmaq, native protests, native resistance, New Brunswick shale gas protests, RCMP, RCMP and Natives, SWN Resources Canada. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
Warrior Publications 
we need to start changing the terminology…these are PROTECTORS not protestors…the negative spin with the wording gives the impression they are fighting when they are protecting..a wise friend of mine in NB who is closely involved in what’s happening made that observation some time ago..he is absolutely right! From now on any events I help organize will be Protector Rallies..no more protests…we are protecting Mother Earth!
Nothing wrong with protesting, and if we’re gonna be protecting Mother Earth it better be more than just protesting…