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15 May 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2012
RCMP Failing in their Duty to End Blockade of Gitxsan Chiefs Office
Smithers BC – The Gitxsan Treaty Society (GTS) appeared in court Monday as part of its continuing efforts to end the blockade of its office. GTS asked the Court to find the leaders of the blockade in contempt for failing to comply with the court injunction and enforcement order that was issued on December 7th, 2011.
This contempt action was necessary because the blockaders continue to defy the court injunction and the RCMP have failed to enforce the law – for over five months now. During previous court hearings, Mr. Justice McEwan has been clear that the blockaders have no right to prevent GTS from accessing its office. He stated that the blockade of the GTS office is illegal; it is in breach of both the Criminal Code and the court’s injunction order. On April 3rd, the Judge directed the blockaders to obey the law and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enforce law. Those directions were ignored.
Despite GTS’s repeated efforts to get the RCMP to act on the Judge’s directions since the April 3rd hearing, the RCMP has taken no steps to enforce the injunction. GTS had no choice but to bring further court action.
During the course of Monday’s hearing, Mr. Justice McEwan expressed his continued astonishment with the RCMP’s lack of action. He re-affirmed his previous comments that the RCMP have a duty to enforce the injunction order but they are failing in that duty.
The Judge was also displeased that the leaders of the blockade failed to appear in court to account for their actions. The GTS asked the Judge to find that the evidence of contempt is sufficient to order the four named blockade leaders to appear before him to respond to the contempt. He reserved his decision.
“We are pleased that the Judge has been so clear that the blockade is illegal and must end,” said Bev Clifton-Percival. “The GTS has been frustrated by the RCMP’s refusal to uphold the law for over 5 months. After careful consideration, the GTS Board decided that the contempt application was necessary as a last resort to end this unproductive confrontation that is causing needless stress in our community."
The GTS was formed to support the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs in their effort to protect and promote Gitxsan rights. The GTS seeks to regain access to its office as soon as it can to continue in that important work.
For further comment please contact:
Gwaans (Bev Clifton Percival)
Office of the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs
250-847-0603
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