Shale gas opponents arrested, determined to stop SWN’s exploration in NB

Shale gas opposition is heating up as SWN Resources attempts to do exploration work on Mi’kmaq territory in Kent County in eastern New Brunswick. On the evening of June 5th, three people were arrested at a standoff between the RCMP and over 100 shale gas opponents on Route 126.

Ed Sullivan from Bass River was one of those arrested. He sat down in front of a thumper truck used in seismic exploration for shale gas. He said he was doing it for his children and would not be moved. He was later arrested by police.

Lorraine Clair, a grandmother from Elsipogtog, was one of the three arrested while singing and drumming her last song. She sustained bruises to her arm during the arrest. She was released that evening on the condition that she would appear in court in the future. A 16 year old was also arrested and released.

126_June5 — Ed Sullivan from Bass River was one of those arrested at a standoff between shale gas opponents and the police on Route 126 in Kent County on June 5th. He sat down in front of a thumper truck used in seismic exploration for shale gas. He said he was doing it for his children and would not be moved. He was later arrested by police. Photo by Rachel Daigle.

MeetTheFrackers_June_5 — Over 100 people gather on the afternoon and evening of June 5th to tell SWN to go home. Photo by Roy MacMullin.

A Stantec truck used in SWN Resources’ shale gas work was seized by native warriors and brought to the local RCMP station the day before on June 4th.

“Our brave warrior told the frackers that they broke the law when they started fracking in their territory and contaminating our water and endangering it. He told them to go back to their country. He asks the question, ‘What’s illegal, us taking their truck or them poisoning our water?’ Good question!” said Willi Nolan, one of the grandmothers standing guard at the site.

Elsipogtog Chief Aaron Sock announced on June 4th that the First Nation was taking a stand against seismic exploration for shale gas.

The first week of June began with Elsipogtog grandmothers praying and drumming where SWN’s thumper trucks were parked. Dozens of shale gas opponents are monitoring activity in the area and more are ready to mobilize like they did yesterday afternoon when a call out over Facebook urged people to gather at the site and tell SWN to go home.