RCMP, protesters withdraw after shale gas clash in Rexton

Native protesters against shale gas fracking in Rexton, N.B., have mostly dispersed after a day of clashes with RCMP officers who moved to enforce an injunction against a blockade, prompting a violent reaction in which five RCMP vehicles were burned and 40 people arrested.

Themajority of police at the scene left around 7 p.m., to cheers from acrowd of protesters.

Around 10 p.m. there was just one RCMP vehicle at the scene and a few protesters lingering at thesite.

John Levi, a First Nations chief on the scene, had earlier spoken to RCMP officers trying to reach an agreement on ending the standoff.

It is not known what was said but, atthe end of the conversationsome 40 officers, who were wearing shields and helmets, left.About a dozen remained.

Levi later saidthat First Nations may have "lost the battle"referring to the fact thatSWNResources, the company at the centre of the conflict, has not agreed to stop shale gas seismic testing, as the protesters demand.

But "we have not lost the war," he added.

Earlier in the day,protestersand RCMP clashed, leading to at least five police vehicles being set on fire and the arrest of a First Nations chief.

We urge all sides not to resort to violence as history has proven these tactics are not productive.Chief Gabriel Atwin, Kingsclear First Nation

In a news release, the RCMP said more than 40 protesters were arrested for various offences including firearms offences, uttering threats, intimidation, mischiefand for refusing to abide by a court injunction.

The protesters arrested were taken to three different communities where they are expected in court Friday morning around 9:30 to face charges. Police spread the arrested protesters out in an effort to prevent the courthouses beingoverwhelmedby protest supporters during the arraignments.

The RCMP said at least one shot was fired by someone other than police andthat Molotov cocktails had been thrown at police, whileat least five RCMP vehicles were destroyed by fire. Policealso investigated suspected explosive devicesat the scene.

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The clashes started at about1 p.m. after police fired pepper spray at theprotesters, who weretryingto push through the police line.

RCMP spokeswoman Const. Jullie Rogers-Marsh said that no rubber bullets were used but that RCMP members used "sock rounds" also known as bean bag rounds, which are a type of non-lethal ammunition on two occasions during the clash in an attempt to defuse the situation.

CBC reporter, Jennifer Choi, said thick black smoke was billowing from the scene, and she could hear popping and see sparks in at least one of the flaming vehicles.

It is not known whether ammunition was in the vehicles. Bystanders backed away from the fire as a precaution, Choi said.

First Nations leader arrested

T.J. Burke, the lawyer for theElsipogtogFirst Nation, confirmedChiefAaronSock was among those arrested in the clash. He and a few of his band council members were released a few hours after their arrests.

Sock is the leader of the band that has been blockading Route 134 near Rextonsince Sept. 30.

On Oct. 1, Sock issued an eviction notice to SWN Resources of Canada. His band and his band council planned to pass a resolution preventing the government and shale gas companies from continuing their work by reclaiming all unoccupied reserve land and giving it back to First Nations.

It remained unclear exactly whichland is involved, and how the band council planned to take it back, but Socksaidgetting SWN to remove its equipment would bea start.

Sock said earlier that, for centuries, the British Crown claimed to be holding the land in trust for his people, but since the land is being badly mismanaged,First Nations people are taking it back.

The road betweenRextonand Highway 11 has been the scene of the protest, involving a coalition of natives and non-natives opposedto shale gas exploration.

Protesters moved into the area on Sept. 30, initially establishing a barricade to the staging area used bySWNResources Canada to park its exploration vehicles and equipment.

The protest progressed to the point where barricades were also established on the road, preventing traffic from going through.

SWNResources went to the Court of Queen's Bench and successfully sought an injunction to end the protest.

During ahearing, court was toldSWNResources is losing $60,000 every day its seismic exploration trucks remain blockaded in the compound off Route 134.

The injunction authorizedpolice to arrest and remove anyone contravening theorder to allow traffic to pass on the highway. However, with negotiations taking place between the two sides, the RCMP didn't immediately enforce the injunction.

On Friday, the injunction was extended. A single lane of Route 134 was subsequently reopened.

The RCMP moved in on the protesters on Route 134 inRextonthis morning.

RCMP notified the publicat 7:45 a.m. about the closure of Route 134. A subsequent notice at 8:21 a.m. indicated Highway 11 was closed betweenRextonandSainte-Anne-de-Kent, and that delays could beexpected.

The RCMP said the court injunction remains in effect and anyone who violates its conditions can be arrested and charged.

Video taken by protesters that was submitted to CBC shortly after the police started enforcing the injunctionshows officers with dogs moving toward the protest encampment on the side of road. Protesters are yelling obscenities at police and inform them elders and children are present.

Meanwhile, anAnglophone North schooldistrictnotice on its website saidthree schools in the area were open butunderlockdownas a precaution. Around noon, the board announcedRextonElementary, Eleanor W. Graham Middle School andBonarLaw Memorial High School would close for the day,and students would besent home.

"Safety and security is paramount for our students and staff," said the school district's public notice.

N.B. chiefs call for peace

National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleoreleased a statement Thursday night, pledging support for the peaceful protest involvingElsipogtog First Nation.

"Please know that we and First Nations across the country stand proudly in solidarity with you and your community. Most importantly, the safety and security of our citizens is our foremost concern at this time,' he said.

Chief GabrielAtwinsaid earlier in the day members ofKingsclearFirst Nation were demonstrating peacefully on Route 105.

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In a news release, Atwin said the Assembly of First Nations in New Brunswick "strongly condemns the acts of aggression that have taken place today within the Mi'kmaq traditional territory near Elsipogtog. We urge all sides not to resort of violence as history has proven these tactics are not productive."

Atwinnoted, however, that for the past two years, First Nations in New Brunswick have tried to work within the confines of "a restrictive, compartmentalized consultation process" when it comes to seismic testing in the province.

He said the whole process is "completely unworkable because it runs counter to our customs and traditions."

In the same releaseAssembly Co-chair Chief GeorgeGinnishsaid the consultation process should include "conversation on potential impacts to our constitutionally protected rights, and provide options to mitigate these dangers."

Ginnish has called on "an immediate end to the violence by all involved, to restart the process taking into account all perspectives in New Brunswick and the inalienablerights of aboriginals."

Politicians in New Brunswick have also spoken out about the protest.

Opposition Leader Brian Gallant released a statement calling on protesters to respect the injunction and thathe hopes for a peaceful resolution.

"I witnessed the protest first-hand this morning. There is much angst and anxiety at the protestsite and in the surrounding communities. The dialogue must immediately resume in order to resolve the differences that have arisen," he said.

New Brunswick Premier David Alward's office has not returned calls from the CBC, butAlwardposted a statement on the government's website saying he is "deeply troubled thatviolence has erupted on Route 134 near Rexton."

"While we respect and defend the right of individuals to protest peacefully, we cannot endorse or tolerate unlawful activity," he said.

Alward also said the government of New Brunswick will do everything in its power to bring about a peaceful resolution.