Police Attack Mi'kmaq Protesters in New Brunswick (Updated 2)

[Content note: violence, racism. Some of the links contain photographs of oppression and/or violence, and all contain more graphic descriptions than I have written here.]

In a developing story, the RCMP took action against Mi'kmaq and allied protestors in Rexton, New Brunswick today. The protestors have, for weeks, been blocking access to the site in protest against the NB government bringing in a USian shale gas company to explore fracking possibilities. In addition to the environmental concerns about fracking, the provincial government has ignored calls to involve Indigenous Peoples in decisions relating to Crown land.

The police have used pepper spray and there are reports of shots being fired. At least four cars are reported to be on fire, and the police have arrested Chief Arren Sock and some of his councillors from the Elsipogtog Band.

The police have also closed the roads around the protest (Route 134 and Highway 11)in order to "ensure public safety." Yeah,I'm sure the Mi'kmaq being harassed and attacked by the police feel super-safe. Particularly when one of the RCMP officers is reported to have shouted "Crown land belongs to the government, not fucking Natives." Very, very safe. Sure.

APTN National News and Idle No More have up-to-the-minute updates on Twitter.

Hat tip to The Mad Capper on Twitter.

Please feel free to use the comments for a safe-space discussion, especially bearing in mind the usual cautions for photographs of violence.

UPDATE: [CN: photo of armed police]Police in riot gear and armored transport are reported to have arrived on the scene. h/t Stimulator.

UPDATE 2: On Twitter,@Msnativewarrior is reporting that the Chief and his council have been released. She also says that Global News will be broadcasting live from the site.