Rally to Support Indigenous Youth Arrested in Support of Wet’suwet’en

January 22, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22, 2020

WHAT:

Yesterday, Indigenous Youth of Nuuchahnulth, Tla’amin, Sto:lo, Namgis, Heiltsuk,, Lil’wat, Xwlemi, Qayqayt, Lue Chogh Tue, Shishalh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations occupied the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en, amplifying the demands of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary leadership for the RCMP to stand down and remove their blockade on the Wet'suwet'en yintahs and for Premier Horgan to meet directly with hereditary leaders.

The youth locked themselves together, surrounded by their medicines, at 11 AM PST, January 21. Throughout the course of the day, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum, Michelle Mungal, refused to meet with the youth to receive a letter that included a list of four demands made by the Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. Around 5 AM PST on January 22, arrests of the youth began. While being forcibly removed from the device, many of the youth were in pain and felt trauma both by the police presence and the touching of their regalia.

Today at 8 AM PST, a snap rally will occur to Support Indigenous Youth for Wet'suwet' in Solidarity. This will occur at the Ministry of Energy & Mines (1810 Blanshard St Fl 6TH, Lekwungen Territory (Victoria), British Columbia V8T 4J1).

WHO:

Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en

WHERE/WHEN:

11:00 AM PST, January 22, 2020

Ministry of Energy & Mines

1810 Blanshard St Fl 6TH

Lekwungen Territory (Victoria), British Columbia V8T 4J1

This event will be livestreamed from the Indigenous Climate Action Facebook (@indigenouscliamteaction)

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lindsey Bacigal, Director of Communications

lindsey@indigenousclimateaction.com

WhatsApp: 613.875.3267

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