Skip to content

Protesters arrested for blocking trucks at SIA

Nine protesters were arrested for blocking the road outside South Island Aggregates’ Stebbings Road contaminated-soil landfill.

Nine protesters were arrested for blocking the road outside South Island Aggregates’ Stebbings Road contaminated-soil landfill on last week.

Those arrested were only briefly held and were released without charge.

Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, a media relations officer at the RCMP’s E Division headquarters in Surrey said about 200 protesters had been at the SIA site and were blocking the trucks from getting into the facility with their loads.

“There was a court clerk that came and read the injunction and people were given the opportunity to leave and then we came and we also reaffirmed the injunction and gave people the opportunity to leave,” Shoihet said.

Nine people opted to hold their ground. That’s when they were taken into custody.

“They stood in the way of the trucks and so we had to arrest them,” she said. “They were arrested and moved off the roadway and then released. They were told not to return. No charges have been laid in regards to that event.”

Shoihet noted police would continue to monitor the situation but thus far officers have, by and large, been met by peaceful protesters.

Even so, given the sheer numbers of people out, Shoihet noted extra members from the tactical squad were called out for everyone’s protection.

“We base our response on the number of protesters that were on site. Given that there were upwards of 200 people, we needed to have enough officers to ensure public and police safety,” she said.

“The protesters were vocal, but very peaceful and they were good to deal with so we hope that that will continue. Hopefully this will get resolved sooner than later.”



Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
Read more