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Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en

Yesterday morning, police in Ontario began arresting land defenders on Tyendinaga territory near Belleville who were protesting next to the CN Rail line that cuts through Mohawk territory. The Tyendinaga Mohawk are acting in support of the Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation who continue say “no” to the construction of the Coastal Gaslink (CGL) pipeline on their ancestral lands. Read more about the Wet’suwet’en’s fight for their rights.

The Canadian government, British Columbia government and RCMP are violating these rights by arresting land protectors and occupying Wet’suwet’en lands so the CGL pipeline can move forward.

The Council of Canadians opposes this militarization and criminalization of protest and dissent and the undermining of human rights, civil liberties and the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples.

The federal government must instead work to end the blockades by removing the RCMP from Wet’suwet’en territory, sending CGL away, and meeting with the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. These actions would show that the federal government respects Wet’suwet’en law and the rulings of the Supreme Court of Canada.

Canada must address Indigenous Peoples’ long-standing grievances and injustices and recognize their legitimate right to self-determination. This situation is the result of a shameful history of colonization and dispossession that can no longer be ignored. Our governments cannot justify their illegal actions as being in the national interest.  Over the past few weeks, Council of Canadians supporters have shown up in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en land defenders from coastto coastto coast.

Join me in taking action following today’s arrests on Tyendinaga territory. It’s important to continue to show provincial and federal governments that thousands of Canadians support land defenders – and to let them know that we’re watching.

Here’s what you can do:

Thank you for your ongoing support of land defenders.