3 Wetsuweten land defenders given suspended sentences over opposing pipeline

Three Wet’suwet’en land defenders were back in court Friday to be sentenced for their roles in opposing the 670 kilometre Coastal Gaslink Pipeline that ran through their territory. In December 2018, the Gitimdt’en Checkpoint was established by hereditary chiefs, members of the Wet’suwet’en community and allies to stop construction of the pipeline. A month later, the RCMP moved in officers for a large scale operation to clear out the check point and clear the road. Dozens were arrested. The courts later ruled that the police breached their Charter rights and abused the process of the court. The judge also found that RCMP made racist comments that were “grossly offensive, racist and dehumanizing.” Three of the land defenders were in a Smithers, B.C., courtroom for sentencing. For criminal contempt, Sleydo was handed a 17-day sentence. Corey Jocko, 12 days and Shylynn Sampson, nine days. Their sentences were suspended with a warning that if they breach their conditions, they will serve time. All three were ordered to perform 150 hours of community service. While the checkpoint delayed construction of the pipeline, it did not stop it. Fractured natural gas from northeastern B.C. began flowing in June. Continue Reading