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Manitoba chief travelling to New Brunswick to join shale gas protest

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs pauses as he speaks during a press conference following a meeting with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in Ottawa on Thursday, January 10, 2013. Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press

REXTON, N.B. – The protest in New Brunswick over shale gas exploration is drawing support from a Manitoba chief.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs says Grand Chief Derek Nepinak is travelling to the community of Rexton to stand with the Elsipogtog First Nation and other protesters.

The assembly says Nepinak will present medicine and a beaver pelt to the leaders of the New Brunswick First Nation.

A meeting of protesters and the community is planned for later today in Elsipogtog.

Read more: Journalists’ car, camera equipment seized at N.B. shale gas protest site

About 50 people are gathered in the rain at the protest site on Route 134, where tents have been set up.

The protesters want SWN Resources to stop seismic testing and leave the province.

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The protest turned violent on Thursday, when six police vehicles were burned and Molotov cocktails were tossed at police.

Read more: What is shale gas, and why are people protesting against testing for it?

Officers arrested 40 people, including Elsipogtog Chief Arren Sock.

On Saturday, protesters blocked Highway 11 for a short time.

Read more: Anti-shale gas protesters vow not to give up after Rexton, N.B. clash

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