Two people were arrested Friday, as police and protesters clashed in East Vancouver after a group of demonstrators blockaded a rail line next to the Renfrew Skytrain Station.
Members of Indigenous youth collective Braided Warriors identified themselves on social media, describing the blockade as a solidarity action with Indigenous opponents of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota.
The group erected tents and gathered around a fire, while some put up signs opposing the pipeline or hung red dresses symbolizing missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Global News cameras were present as police eventually cleared people and obstructions from the tracks.
A scuffle later broke out between officers and some of the group who remained congregated near the entrance to the SkyTrain station.
Vancouver police allege protesters assaulted two officers who were trying to clear the demonstration.
According to police, about 30 demonstrators had occupied the tracks for several hours before officers reminded them of an existing injunction and ordered them to leave.
“As the protesters were being directed away from the tracks two people allegedly became violent and were arrested,” Sgt. Steve Addison said in an email.
A 21-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly spitting on VPD and transit police officers, while a second person was arrested for breach of peace, police said.
Four people were arrested last Thursday when the Braided Warriors blockaded Hastings Street at Clark Drive to protest a 90-day jail sentence handed to an anti-pipeline protester.
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