Canada: CFWIJ Condemns RCMP’s Tracking Of Brandi Morin, Other Journalists Documenting Militarized Action In Wet'suwet'en territories
Location: Canada
Date: May 6, 2022
Award-winning journalist Brandi Morin was subjected to unauthorized surveillance bordering on harassment by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) while documenting militarized action against Indigenous land defenders in Wet'suwet'en territories. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns RCMP transgressions against members of the press and extends support to Brandi. We have observed a pattern of police overreaches against the press as the authorities attempt to suppress coverage of militarized raids against protestors.
On April 27, 2022, while Brandi was following RCMP’s continued presence in the Wet’suwet’en territory for Ricochet she was closely monitored by police officers. One police officer recorded her video and followed her while she worked even though she clearly identified herself as a journalist.
As a reporter who has closely followed Indigenous land defenders’ protests, Brandi has also been subjected to frequent online attacks by far-right groups.
RCMP tracked my every move while I documented/questioned them when they invaded Wet’suewet’en territories multiple times this week. This one videoed me even though I identified myself as a journalist with @ricochet_en @CSORG pic.twitter.com/p3KkzSU7ZA
— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) April 27, 2022
Brandi has reported regularly on the RCMP’s continued presence on the Wet’suwet’en Yintah (territory) since late 2018, after Coastal Gaslink obtained an injunction against Indigenous land defenders protesting the construction of a contentious liquified natural gas (LNG) pipeline through Wet’suwet’en territory.
Brandi’s work has uncovered multiple instances of police overreaches against protestors. On May 5, she took to Twitter to share an urgent request from the United Nations to the RCMP asking the police force to stop violating the rights of Indigenous persons in Wet’suewet’en territories and Secwepemc. “These requests have been continually ignored. Canada violating international human rights laws,” she wrote.
Canada, Prov of BC, RCMP have received another urgent request from United Nations to stop violating Indigenous rights of Wet’suewet’en & Secwepmec re: CGL & TMX pipelines. These requests have been continually ignored. Canada violating international human rights laws pic.twitter.com/MAIDDMxeJy
— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) May 4, 2022
The Coalition For Women In Journalism has routinely reported on disturbances related to the protests by indigenous people in the Wet’suwet’en territories as well as at Fairy Creek. We extend support to Brandi Morin and register strong protest against the RCMP’s repeated interference in her work. Over time it has become abundantly apparent that the Canadian police act with an air of impunity against journalists in the area and frequently violate rights of the press and citizens. The latest transgressions against Brandi are yet another example of the RCMP’s attempts to suppress coverage of abuses in the area. They stand in violation of both press freedom and the right to information.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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