Three Sun Peaks protesters released

Kamloops Daily News
Thursday, September 23

Three protesters arrested at Sun Peaks Resort Tuesday have been released on a promise to appear in court in November.

RCMP Const. Brian Flanagan said the trio, all male, will face charges of contempt of a civil court order at their court date, set for Nov. 15.

All three of the men arrested are natives from the area, said protest organizer Janice Billy.

Billy, who is spokeswoman for the Skwelkwek'welt Protection Centre, said Wednesday another camp will be created at Sun Peaks soon.

"Yes, there will be direct action," she said, adding she expects police have already torn down the latest camp on the 16th green of the golf course.

"We're just looking for the right time and the right place."

The group has a three-step process for fighting its battle over aboriginal title at Sun Peaks: to quash the injunction, to seek a judicial review of the province's approval for expansion of the ski resort and to take an aboriginal title case to court to get it recognized by the B.C. and federal governments.

Billy said the group has many supporters, native and non-native, who are willing to maintain a protest camp. She vowed to keep rebuilding camp after camp if necessary, "just like the Palestinians."