Monologue: The RCMP vs. Journalism
Laying out The Narwhal and Amber Bracken's lawsuit
This week on The North State, I talk about The Narwhal and Amber Bracken's lawsuit against the RCMP, filed after Bracken's arrest while on the job in November of 2021. RSS feed here. Apple Podcasts link here
Description
In November of 2021, the RCMP raided a land defender camp in Wet'suwet'en territory with assault rifles and chainsaws. Over a dozen people were arrested, including photojournalist Amber Bracken and documentary filmmaker Michael Toledano. The Narwhal, who had Bracken on assignment, teamed up with the photojournalist to sue the RCMP. The trial is now ongoing and set for closing arguments in April. What's the suit about? What is necessary context? Scott lays out the landscape of the lawsuit, context surrounding it and, finally, his take.
Sources and Further Reading
On the front lines of ‘the war within Canada’s borders’ - Al Jazeera
Advocates call for release of journalist, filmmaker arrested at pipeline protest in B.C. - CBC News
RCMP was ‘unreasonable’ when setting up exclusion zones around Fairy Creek protest - APTN News
The C-IRG: the resource extraction industry’s best ally - Briarpatch Magazine
News outlet, journalist file lawsuit against RCMP for wrongful B.C. arrests - Global News
RCMP insist photojournalist arrested at pipeline protest was defying injunction - National Observer
‘I felt kidnapped’: Canada police sued for arresting photographer covering protest - The Guardian
RCMP tried to get photojournalist Amber Bracken charged and detained without bail, documents show - The Globe and Mail
4 things we learned from the court case challenging the RCMP’s treatment of journalists at Fairy Creek logging blockades - The Narwhal
A journalist arrested in Canada for trying to do their job? - The Narwhal
Video captures RCMP officer pointing gun at Indigenous pipeline opponents at northern B.C. camp - Global News
Media harder to identify, RCMP official tells court in press freedom lawsuit - CBC News
The Narwhal Is Suing the RCMP. Stakes Are High for Journalism - The Tyee
Exclusive: Canada police prepared to shoot Indigenous activists, documents show - The Guardian
Canada’s surveillance regime targets Indigenous peoples - Ricochet
Emails reveal how the RCMP changed its story about arresting journalists in Wet’suwet’en raid - The Narwhal
Canada: Police can’t decide who is and isn’t a journalist - Reporters Without Borders
CAJ stands with Amber Bracken as landmark press freedom trial begins - Canadian Association of Journalists
RCMP ignores legal precedent, Charter rights, in continued campaign to persecute Canadian journalist - Canadian Association of Journalists
