Shale gas protesters joined by Nova Scotians
People from First Nations communities around the region are heading to Elsipogtog area of New Brunswick to show their support for those protesting shale gas exploration.
The protesters have been demonstrating for months, calling on a moratorium on shale gas exploration.
Cheryl Maloney, the president of the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association, drove to eastern New Brunswick Sunday to offer her support to protesters, in particular the women at the site.
She said she doesn't see a resolution to the conflict any time soon.
“The community doesn't want it, they don't want fracking in their community. I know in Nova Scotia we had Boat Harbour and the community of Pictou Landing is now dealing with all kinds of environmental concerns
Maloney said there have been a lot of women involved in the fracking protest and there were several women arrested during Thursday's clash with police.
On Sept. 30, protesters set up a blockade in Rexton, preventing SWN Resources Inc. — the company at the centre of the dispute — from accessing seismic testing equipment.
Last week, protests turned violent when RCMP served an injunction to remove the protesters.
More than 40 people were arrested for refusing to abide by the injunction. During the clash, . Protesters were pepper sprayed and six RCMP vehicles were torched.
First Nations leaders in New Brunswick plan to hold a news conference today about their ongoing shale gas protest.
Elsipogtog Chief Aaron Sock and Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs held a meeting Sunday with community members and protesters.
The CBC's Stephen Puddicombe said the two will ask that all future demonstrations be peaceful. He reported Monday the two say demonstrators will lose public support if they continue to confront the RCMP and block highways.
