‘The arrest and ongoing detention of journalists have no place in a liberal democracy’

CARA Zwibel, Director of Fundamental Freedoms for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, said in a statement on Sunday that the CCLA is deeply troubled by the reports of the RCMP’s actions arresting protesters and journalists in the Gidimt’en camp in Wet’suwet’en territory.

“The RCMP appear to be engaged in harsh military-like tactics with little regard for Charter protected rights of Indigenous protesters and those there to report on events as they unfold,” she added.

Zwibel said: “Their actions ignore the lessons that have been learned over and over again through public inquiries into police actions at Indigenous occupations. The arrest of a photojournalist and a documentarian are of particular concern, as we understand they are being held over the weekend and were arrested despite the RCMP being aware of their status as journalists.

“The Canadian public has a right to know what is happening on the site and journalists have the weighty responsibility to tell these stories. Their arrest and ongoing detention have no place in a liberal democracy. We condemn these actions and call for their release.”