Access to Deltaport has been shutdown as a protest continues by opponents of a natural gas pipeline in Northern B.C.
The Red Braid Alliance for Decolonial Socialism started their protest Saturday evening in support of the Wet’suwet’en.
“We are stopping each worker’s car as they leave, talking briefly and giving out leaflets. The vast majority of workers are receptive, and many say they support the Wet’suwet’en struggle. Some have encountered us to ‘hold the line!'” reads a tweet on their Twitter page.
According to its Twitter page, Red Braid (formerly Alliance Against Displacement) is a revolutionary working class and Indigenous organization active on lands occupied by B.C., Canada.
“We’re part of a nationwide movement to shut down Canada in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en,” organizer Isabel Krupp said. “More than $1 billion of commerce moves through Deltaport every year. We’re shutting it all down. There’s no commercial traffic going in or out of Deltaport today.”
Krupp said the protest will continue at the port until RCMP leave the site of the Wet’suwet’en blockade.
The protest at Deltaport is just one of several in the Lower Mainland and across the country.
Protestors targeted The Port of Vancouver on Saturday and access to the port remains closed as of Sunday.
There is also a major protest planned for Sunday afternoon in Vancouver.
Delta police remain at the scene of the Deltaport protest.
DPD public affairs coordinator Cris Leykauf said officers are on site to maintain the public peace, and ensure the safety of all parties, including the demonstrators.
“Delta Police respects the right to democratic and lawful protest and will facilitate that right,” Leykauf told the Optimist.“Individuals have the right to peacefully express their opinions and views and speak out on issues that concern them and Delta Police upholds that right.
“Companies also have the lawful right to access to their properties, to perform necessary work. Delta Police is working to try and facilitate both of these rights and ensure all parties and the public are kept safe.”
She said police have been engaged in consultation and dialogue in an attempt to ensure the protest remains peaceful.
“Police are attempting to facilitate a solution on how to get the road opened up peacefully,” she said. “We understand there is a sense of urgency, and as a neutral party we are trying to work with all parties on a solution. However, we need to ensure this is done in a safe manner. We want a solution that’s safe for the protesters, safe for the public and safe for police as well.”
Port of Vancouver spokesperson Danielle Jang told the Optimist Sunday afternoon that the distruption at Deltaport as well as The Port of Vancouver iis having a significant impact on port operations.
"We are taking the situation very seriously," said Jang. "We respect the rights of others to peacefully demonstrate and express opinions, and hope to come to a resolution soon."
