quote:
On December 20, the Guardian reported that the RCMP was prepared at that time to use lethal force, arrest children and grandparents, and apprehend the demonstrators' children.
"We have never ceded or surrendered our lands," Sleydo', the Gidimt'en Checkpoint spokesperson, said. "This is an issue of rights and title with our sovereign nation, and RCMP are acting as mercenaries for industry.
"At a time when the province has introduced the UNDRIP legislation, the RCMP are occupying our territory for the sole purpose of protecting industry and ensuring extractive projects proceed unhindered."
"With terminology like 'lethal overwatch', 'sterilize the site', and the threat of child welfare removing our children from their homes and territory, we see the extent to which the provincial and federal governments are willing to advance the destruction of our lands and families for profit," she continued. "The state has always removed our people from our lands to ensure control over the resources. This has never changed.
"At a time when the province has introduced the UNDRIP legislation, the RCMP are occupying our territory for the sole purpose of protecting industry and ensuring extractive projects proceed unhindered."