HOUSTON, BC – British Columbia RCMP has confirmed two journalists were among 15 people arrested Friday for violating a ban on protesters blocking entrances used by Coastal GasLink pipeline workers.
While their names were not released by the RCMP, attorney Frances Mahon said photojournalist Amber Bracken and documentary filmmaker Michael Toledano were arrested at locations near Houston, northern BC, and remain in custody until this morning.
The BC RCMP said 11 individuals were arrested at construction sites erected along the road leading to a drilling site, including two who identified themselves as journalists following the arrest. Four others were arrested at another location.
Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said all those arrested for violating the order have been taken to Smithers, BC, and are expected to appear in court on Monday in Prince George.
BC-based press agency The Narwhal said Bracken was hired by them to cover events taking place in northern BC, where the Mounties arrested Indigenous protesters who had blocked access roads leading to the working area of the pipeline.
Editor-in-Chief Emma Gilchrist said in a statement that the publication was “deeply disturbed” by the arrest, which she described as a violation of Bracken’s charter rights and freedom of the press.
This Canadian Press report was first published on November 20, 2021
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