North Thompson River Provincial Park pipeline protest comes to an end

CLEARWATER – Police say a days-long protest in a provincial park north of Kamloops has come to an end.

Clearwater RCMP says in a news release that officers attended North Thompson River Provincial Park the morning of July 14 to meet with protesters and discuss the ongoing demonstration that resulted in a full park closure that began after an Indigenous culture event last week.

Members of the RCMP's dedicated liaison team met with the demonstrators.

According to the release, discussions focused on the need for demonstrators to comply with an eviction notice delivered by B.C. Park Rangers July 12. After initial discussions with the liaison team ended, Clearwater RCMP attended and arrested one female protestor at the park entrance. She was released before 4 p.m. that day on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

After the arrest, the liaison team members continued to speak with the remaining demonstrators. Clearwater RCMP say the group was reminded their presence in the park was interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of the park and were given the option to leave on their own or face an arrest for mischief.

The demonstrators decided to leave and RCMP remained at the scene to monitor their departure, which ended around 2:45 p.m.

According to a group called the Tiny House Warriors, demonstrators took to the provincial park in protest of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and to reclaim their traditional land.

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