Cops clashed with Indigenous demonstrators in the northeastern territory of New Brunswick, in a violent protest over shale gas development, more commonly known as “fracking”.  Several police vehicles were torched and at least 40 people were arrested.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said at least five of their vehicles were destroyed after they were set on fire, Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers, and someone who isn’t a police officer fired at least one shot.  

The protesters want to stop a Texas-based energy company from conducting seismic testing, which generally precedes hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, to release natural gas. Protesters have blockaded a staging area where an energy firm stores its equipment since 30 September.

The fracking process has caused earthquakes, polluted water supplies, and the fracking chemicals actually turn drinking water supplies into a flammable, poison mess.  But the energy companies make big money on the resource.