Protesters block rail line west of Edmonton in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en

A group of protesters set up a blockade along a rail line west of Edmonton Wednesday morning, as Wet’suwet’en solidarity blockades continue in communities across Canada.

At around 4 a.m., the blockade was set up in the Winterburn Industrial Area near Acheson, Alta., south of Highway 16 along 231 Street.

A car and several pallets were used to block the rail line as about 30 protesters gathered. They put up signs which read “Wet’suwet’en strong,” “reconciliation is dead” and “we protect us.”

Those involved in the blockade said they called CN Rail at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday to give the company warning that they were setting up.

Demonstrators said a train came down the line just after they arrived. The train did stop and ended up backing up, the demonstrators told Global News.

Those involved in the blockade said they do not want to be called protesters, but rather protectors or defenders of the land.

CN officers were on scene Wednesday morning. Vehicle traffic was being allowed through the area.

The protest was organized by the group Cuzzins for Wet’suwet’en.

The blockades in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are in protest of an LNG pipeline in British Columbia.

Coastal GasLink signed agreements with 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route, including the Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s council.

But Wet’suwet’en’s hereditary chiefs are opposed to the project and say the council does not have authority over the relevant land.

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