There have been many large protests at the B.C. legislature, some of which Premier John Horgan was part of in his younger days, but TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 siege was unacceptable, Horgan said Wednesday.
The anti-Coastal Gaslink demonstration was much smaller than others arranged by teachers and others to make demands on the B.C. government, but it turned into a siege to keep everyone out with intimidation and ridicule, Horgan told reporters Wednesday. He described a group of legislature interns who faced a wall of yelling protesters on their first day on the job.
B次元官网网址淭hey were shaken, absolutely. Intimidated, in some cases dragged up the stairs to get into the building,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淭hey did not sign on to be intimidated, ridiculed and jostled as they tried to do their jobs.B次元官网网址�
Premier denounces blockade of yesterday
B次元官网网址� Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherbc)
The speech was marred by hundreds of loud, chanting protesters rejecting reconciliation, a natural gas pipeline across northern B.C. and Canada itself as a colonial invader to the province. Students and other supporters of WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n hereditary chiefs opposing the Coastal Gaslink pipeline surrounded the legislature, blocking MLAs, staff and reporters from entering Tuesday.
The ceremonial arrival and inspection by Lt. Governor Janet Austin was cancelled, as protesters backing blockades near Smithers plan the latest of a series of rallies to coincide with the speech.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham was among those turned away by protesters as she tried to enter the building, one of several MLAs who decided to stay away for the first day of a session that is scheduled to last until the end of May.
Premier says many people demand he do something to stop roads, bridges and rail lines from being blocked
B次元官网网址� Tom Fletcher (@tomfletcherbc)
Asked about the repeated blocking of roads, bridges and rail lines that has extended as far away as Ontario, Horgan said he has experienced that himself and has also been asked to put a stop to it.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to live in a society where politicians direct police to take action against other citizens without appropriate reasons for doing so,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 why we have courts. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why injunctions are sought.
B次元官网网址淧eople say hey, youB次元官网网址檙e in my way, get out of my way, why arenB次元官网网址檛 the cops doing something. I understand that. I drove by two bridges the other day on my way home the other day.B次元官网网址�
Horgan said he cancelled his Tuesday news conference after the throne speech because he was upset about the events and wanted to take time to understand reports of injured staff members and other disruptions. He said he has seen many protests much bigger than the estimated 500 students who descended on Tuesday, but all kept their distance and delivered their message peacefully.
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
