VANCOUVER -- A student walkout in support of the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who oppose a liquefied natural gas pipeline through their traditional territory closed the intersection of West 49th Avenue and Cambie Street in Vancouver during the afternoon rush hour.
Police said the protest had closed the intersection in all directions and drivers were warned to avoid the area. Just before 6 p.m., the protesters left the area and traffic began moving again.
Post-secondary and high school students across the country staged a walkout from classes in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs on Wednesday. In B.C., students at Langara College, Capilano University, UBC, and Simon Fraser University walked out of classes just before 3 p.m.
"The nation-wide student walkout is a peaceful, decentralized action of solidarity. Students across Turtle Island stand firmly in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and will continue to do so until their demands have been fully met," said a statement from protest organizers.
Demonstrators also gathered on the UBC campus near the student union building and later marched to Wesbrook Mall and University Boulevard.
TransLink also said several bus routes had been detoured or delayed because of the ongoing demonstrations, including the 99 B-Line.
Protesters also blocked the intersection of Mountain Highway and Keith Road in North Vancouver but left the area around 5 p.m.
