Manitoba legislature encampment dismantled; seven arrested
Winnipeg police say seven people are facing charges after officers stopped an attempt to expand an encampment on the Manitoba Legislature grounds.
Around 40 police officers, along with Manitoba Conservation officers were seen at the legislature Tuesday afternoon, a day after officers stopped an encampment from growing.
The Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Tuesday, officers provided a safe work environment for Manitoba Legislature staff to dismantle the structures.
This comes after police were on site Monday in response to information that occupants were bringing in building materials to expand the north camp’s footprint by building a new teepee.
“Poles were laid on the ground forming a border to delineate their claimed space. Legislative Security Officers and police advised participants to cease bringing in the materials as it was contrary to The Legislative Security Act,” the release said.
“Despite verbal warnings, the group formed a long human chain, preventing officers from carrying out their duties and providing cover for the individuals bringing in materials such as wooden poles 30 feet in length.”
WPS said Tyler Demarchuk, 27, Patrick Neilen, 34, Aaron Lee Dumas, 45, Eduardo Alberto Barahona, 55, Krystal Lisa Kerriann Jensen, 35, Monique Cusson, 36, and Ashley Catcheway, 39, were charged with obstructing peace officers and deposit items in the legislative precinct that support extended stay.
None of the charges have been tested in court.
Meanwhile, at least three people associated with the encampment were taken away by police on Tuesday, while other members left voluntarily.
The encampment was set up in spring and has been adorned with signs and flags highlighting a variety of issues, from the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools to COVID-19 restrictions to conflict in the Middle East.
Originally, there was one teepee, and a second was added in the summer. The protesters had planned to build a third Monday and put out a call on social media for supporters to help them build a "law lodge."
The government passed a law in the spring that forbids encampments on the legislature grounds and bans people from supplying generators, firewood and other goods.
People who break the rules can be evicted from the grounds and face fines of up to $5,000.
Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said in a statement Monday security concerns had escalated over the past few weeks, citing verbal assaults and threats to staff and visitors.
He said Tuesday he wants the legislature grounds to be a place people feel safe to visit, work, and protest.
“This is an appropriate place to protest, but there are safety concerns when people come and don’t leave and make it a permanent place, and those were demonstrated over the last number of weeks,” he said.
The Progressive Conservative government has been faced with encampments since last summer. The first one, which is ongoing on the east lawn of the grounds, is in response to the discovery of unmarked graves at residential school sites.
Goertzen said police will ultimately decide whether to dismantle or carry out other enforcement at that camp.
“We’re not giving direction in terms of how or when things should happen, but we do create legislation for the safety of individuals, and we expect that those laws ultimately are enforced.”
- With files from CTV News’ Jeff Keele and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Calgary police to release more details on pro-Palestinian protest
Details on arrests, tickets and charges against a number of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at the University of Calgary will be released on Friday, police say,
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.