RCMP defends its response at violent Rexton protest
Posted Oct 18, 2013 03:49:58 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
FREDERICTON, NB – The RCMP’s commanding officer in New Brunswick says police enforced an injunction at a shale gas protest site that later turned violent because they concluded that the lengthy demonstration was no longer safe.
Assistant commissioner Roger Brown says the Mounties were concerned lives could be in danger if they had not responded
Thursday at the site near Rexton.
Brown says six police vehicles were burned, including an unmarked police van.
Brown says of the 40 people who were arrested for offences including threats, intimidation and mischief, 31 have been released with
future court dates.
Officers seized a number of weapons at the site, including guns, explosive devices and knives.
The protesters, some of whom included members of the Elsipogtog First Nation, were rallying against SWN Resources and its possible plans to proceed with shale gas development.
