The B.C. Supreme Court has issued an injunction order authorizing police to arrest demonstrators blocking traffic on the Pat Bay Hwy.
As of 3:30 p.m. around 80 demonstrators are stationed at the intersection of Pat Bay Hwy and Mt Newton X Road.
Here’s an injunction order in place for people blocking traffic on Pat Bay Hwy today. @cspoliceservice told us they will allow demonstrators to protest until 5pm as planned #yyj #yyjtraffic @victoriabuzzes pic.twitter.com/VyRpR24MU1
— Brishti Basu (@brish_ti) February 26, 2020
Traffic has been rerouted at Island View Road causing heavy delays.
Central Saanich Police Sgt. Brailey tells Victoria Buzz that some of the crowd appears to be dispersing of their own accord.
Authorities will therefore wait to see how long the protesters remain before making a decision about whether or not to execute the injunction order.
Demonstrators began assembling at the intersection at 2 pm and plan to stay until 5 #yyj #yyjtraffic @victoriabuzzes pic.twitter.com/cI05Jm5AaL
— Brishti Basu (@brish_ti) February 26, 2020
The demonstrators belong to Tsawout First Nation and planned this protest in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who are opposed to the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C.
The demonstrators are expected to leave the intersection by 5 p.m. today.
Police are video taping all interactions with demonstrators and media to prevent misinterpretations and miscommunications.
Wholesome content: kids playing soccer on the empty highway #yyj @victoriabuzzes pic.twitter.com/tPW4infGeq
— Brishti Basu (@brish_ti) February 26, 2020
