VANCOUVER -- Protesters opposed to the Coastal GasLink project in northern B.C. blocked a major intersection in Vancouver on Tuesday for several hours.
Around 2 p.m., the Vancouver Police Department tweeted that the intersection of Cambie Street and Broadway had been blocked by demonstrators. The VPD advised that traffic was not getting through and drivers were asked to avoid the area.
"We don't have any accidents reported at Cambie and Broadway, but all of the roads in the surrounding area are gridlocked," the VPD said in a tweet posted at 2:30 p.m. TransLink also said several bus routes in the area had been diverted because of the protest. Around 6 p.m., protesters erected a tent in the middle of the intersection.
Demonstrators acknowledged the temporary inconvenience but said they wanted to send a loud message.
"It's important to bring attention to the Wet'suwet'en people because this is going to be an issue that affects everyone in the future -- not just now. So this can be a temporary inconvenience at this current moment," said demonstrator Maria-Margaretta Cabana Boucher.
Hundreds of pipeline protesters also blocked the entrance to the B.C. legislature on Tuesday to show their support for the hereditary chiefs opposed to the pipeline project near Houston, B.C.
There have been multiple protests across Canada in recent days since the RCMP started enforcing a court injunction against the Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs who have been trying to block access to the Coastal GasLink construction project.
With files from the Canadian Press.
