Mounties in Houston, BC are investigating an incident where Coastal GasLink (CGL) security workers were violently confronted by a group of people armed with weapons, including axes..The incident unfolded along the Morice River Forest Service Road near Houston, BC shortly after midnight on Thursday.. Political leaders call out Trudeau for ignoring eco-terrorism at BC Coastal GasLink siteCourtesy Coastal GasLink .“Approximately 20 masked and violent attackers wearing camouflage surrounded and attacked Coastal GasLink workers in a highly planned and dangerous unprovoked assault,” CoastalGaslink said in a release..“This coordinated and criminal attack from multiple directions threatened the lives of several workers. In one of the most concerning acts, an attempt was made to set a vehicle on fire while workers were inside..“The attackers also wielded axes, swinging them at vehicles and through a truck’s window. Flare guns were also fired at workers. Workers fled the site for their own safety and remain shaken by this violent incident. Fortunately, there were no physical injuries to Coastal GasLink workers.”.Police say the roadway had been blocked with downed trees, tar-covered stumps, wire, boards with spikes in them, and fires had been lit throughout the debris. This was at the 41 km mark.. Political leaders call out Trudeau for ignoring eco-terrorism at BC Coastal GasLink siteCourtesy Coastal GasLink . CGLCredit: RCMP . 85282_Photo_2_tarp_sm .“The attackers used grinders to cut locks on a permitted gate to the active construction site and continued to vandalize and attack heavy equipment and construction trailers on-site, causing millions of dollars in damage to Coastal GasLink contractor equipment and property,” said the company..“Equipment hydraulic and fuel lines were also cut, causing dangerous leaks. Damage and environmental impacts are still being assessed. We are working to contain and clean up the environmental damage caused by the attackers. We also understand the attackers felled trees, placed tire spikes and lit fires on roads in an effort to impede access to the remote worksite.”.As officers attempted to make way through the debris and traps, several people hurled smoke bombs and flaming sticks at them. One officer was injured..When police hit the 43 km mark, they discovered an old bus blocking the road. No one else was found in this area and with the help of CGL, officers cleared the road and carried on..Once at the 63 km mark, officers found heavy machinery and portable buildings had been damaged, but no blockade. Officers carried on towards the drill pad.. 85284_Photo_4_machinery_sm . 85285_Photo_5_machinery_sm . Political leaders call out Trudeau for ignoring eco-terrorism at BC Coastal GasLink siteCourtesy RCMP . Political leaders call out Trudeau for ignoring eco-terrorism at BC Coastal GasLink site . Political leaders call out Trudeau for ignoring eco-terrorism at BC Coastal GasLink site .“This is a very troubling escalation in violent criminal activity that could have resulted in serious injury or death. This was a calculated and organized violent attack that left its victims shaken and a multimillion dollar path of destruction,” said Chief Superintendent Warren Brown, North District Commander..“While we respect everyone’s right to peacefully protest in Canada, we cannot tolerate this type of extreme violence and intimidation. Our investigators will work tirelessly to identify the culprits and hold them accountable for their actions.”. cgl-opposition-map-v13-20220217_inset2Courtesy Coastal GasLink .Alberta Premier Jason Kenney tweeted his disgust at the incident..“This kind of violence is deplorable. It doesn’t help that some prominent people — like CBC celebrity David Suzuki — normalize the idea of anti-pipeline violence,” Kenney tweeted..Last year there was a blockade and “opposition camp” established near the Morice River drill pad site, lasting 59 days..Reid Small is a BC-based reporter for the Western Standard.,rsmall@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/reidsmall
