Tuesday February 18, 2020 ~ LANGFORD [Updated 9:15 am February 19 and February 23]
~ West Shore Voice News
On February 18, 2020 at 7:50 am West Shore RCMP responded to a mischief in progress occurring at Premier John Horgan’s personal residence in Langford.
This was reported in a news release from West Shore RCMP at 1:30 pm today, February 18, just as the BC Budget 2020 was being delivered in the BC Legislative Assembly.
In recent days, Premier Horgan has been dealing with the political and economic impacts of protests by indigenous rights and anti-pipeline protesters that have begun to impact the full Canadian economy.
It was reported the individuals had entered the Premier’s private property disturbing the Premier’s family by banging on his door stating they were going to make a citizen’s arrest of the Premier, said Cpl. Chris Dovell, West Shore RCMP.
Officers attended the Premier’s home and observed the individuals had moved from the front of the Premier’s home and were blocking access to his private driveway. West Shore RCMP members spoke with the individuals who continued to block access to the Premier’s private driveway and refused to leave.
The Premier had actually been on his way to the BC Legislature but his vehicle turned around to go back to his home, so Horgan could check on his wife who was home at the time. In TV media coverage Horgan was shown returning to his official vehicle in a positive manner, amidst RCMP on the front lawn and driveway of his home.
West Shore RCMP setup a safety zone and warned the individuals if they continued to commit mischief they would be arrested. Several individuals left and stood outside the safety zone. Officers arrested the remaining three adults who continued to commit mischief and refused to leave the area of the driveway.
At least one protester said on camera that the aim of the event was for the Premier to feel the same type of pressure or harassment as being experienced by the indigenous people on the land where an LNG pipeline is to be constructed.
The accused were transported to the West Shore RCMP detachment and will be released on an Undertaking for a later court date, it was stated by RCMP in their news release.
“Upon their release the accused will be bound by conditions not to be in the area of the Premier’s residence or his constituency office in Langford,” it was stated by RCMP.
“The unlawful entry onto private property and committing the criminal offence of mischief by blocking access at the Premier’s residence was a gross invasion. I strongly condemn the actions of the individuals involved,” said Inspector Todd Preston, Officer In Charge, West Shore RCMP.
The incident was reported in the top items of national TV newscasts on Tuesday evening, February 18, in the context of ongoing activities and debate by national and provincial leaders on how to diffuse tensions in the protests that are now impacting the national economy and resurrecting intense debate about the process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
FOOTNOTE: The protesters were part of a group that goes by the name Extinction Rebellion.
