For Immediate Release: November 23, 2021

Media Contact: Asya Pikovsky, asya.pikovsky@gmail.com, 207-522-2442

Action Center on Race and the Economy Blasts RCMP’s Violent Raid and Assault on the Wet’suwet’en at Gidimt’en Checkpoint

The Action Center on Race and the Economy condemns the actions of Canada as it inflicts settler violence against the Wet’suwet’en peoples, hypocritically breaking both Wet’suwet’en and Canadian law to push TC Energy’s illegal Coastal Gaslink pipeline through unceded territories. 

The Wet’suwet’en have endured state-sanctioned violence on behalf of the oil company. Over the past week, the Coyote Camp has been facing a heavily militarized RCMP tactical team, complete with snipers, K9 units, and assault rifles. These barbarous acts of violence inflicted upon Indigenous people or any group of people are indefensible. These attacks by RCMP are Human Rights violations as defined by the United Nations, and acts of extreme detriment to the inherent sovereignty of the Wet’suwet’en.

The Wet’suwet’en have asserted self-governance over their territories since time immemorial, and it is their inherent right to defend their lands, resources and bodies from foreign aggressors. The Wet’suwet’en have neither signed treaties nor have they relinquished title to their lands. They are not part of so-called Canada and have not consented to bearing the burden of the world’s dependence on an extractive industry such as oil. 

We will continue to support the Wet’suwet’en in their struggle and call on others to join us in their fight to defend their land. From disrupting business as usual to divesting from banks funding the theft of Indigenous lands, there are steps we can all take to support the Wet’suwet’en. These barbarous acts of violent aggression must cease and the inherent right to self-determination must be upheld. 

Solidarity actions began immediately. Now is the time. Plan, organize or join an action where you are.

In solidarity,

Erika Thi Patterson 

Campaign for Climate and Environmental Justice 

Action Center on Race and the Economy