Protesters block start of spring session at the B.C. legislature
Credit to Author: Rob Shaw| Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2020 18:24:32 +0000
VICTORIA – Crowds of anti-pipeline protesters successfully stopped provincial politicians from restarting the legislature for its spring session Tuesday by physically blockading the entrances to the capital building.
MLAs had been set to meet at 10 a.m. to prorogue the fourth session of the 41st parliament in advance of the start of a new session at 2 p.m. and the speech from the throne by Lieut.-Gov. Janet Austin.
That was cancelled and rescheduled for later this afternoon, due to several MLAs and staff unable to enter the building. It was unclear if Austin herself was even able to enter.
Protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs against a natural gas Coastal GasLink pipeline in northwest set about physically confronting people who wanted to enter or exit the legislative building early Tuesday morning.
Similar demonstrations have occurred in recent days on highways in Victoria and Vancouver, as well as at Vancouver’s port.
Several MLAs, including Agriculture Minister Lana Popham, Jennifer Rice and Janet Routledge, were unable to enter the building from the usual side entrance, as dozens of protesters, some beating drums, yelled “shame” at passersby and linked arms to physically prevent passage into the building.
Agriculture Minister @lanapopham turned away at the door. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/aPi6vooyNK
Education Minister Rob Fleming had to be pulled through a crowd by security. Protesters also blockaded the media from entering or exiting the building, in some cases physically pushing back against journalists. Staff who ran the gauntlet were screamed at by the crowd.
Education minister @Rob_Fleming and Liberal mla @jordansturdy struggle to get through entrance and protesters as security pulls them through 30m before legislature session starts. pic.twitter.com/M2F5hvHRFs
The crowd yelled “Fight back!” and chanted “UNDRIP.” At the front of the building, hundreds of protesters had built a fire, tents and gathered on the ceremonial front steps.