Three Wet’suwet’en land defenders were in a Smithers courtroom Friday, to be sentenced for their roles in opposing the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline construction, which ran through Wet’suwet’en territory.
Friday’s sentencing technically included jail time for the three accused. 17 days in jail for Sleydo’, 12 for Jocko, and nine for Sampson, less time already served in custody with a further reduction of 2-5 days for acknowledged violations of their Charter rights.
However, the judge suspended the implementation of those sentences and ordered the defenders to complete 150 hours of community service rather than serve time behind bars, save for breach of recognizance in the next year.
In explaining his decision to suspend the sentences, the judge said he took into account the Province of British Columbia’s and the Government of Canada’s disrespect for the rights and interests of the Wet’suwet’en Nation.
Amnesty International, who was in attendance at the sentencing, still described the decision as a “chilling message” about Indigenous rights- with America’s Amnesty International director saying they never should have been arrested in the first place.
A post from the Gidimt’en Checkpoint stated “We are all excited about this precedent setting decision and all that it encompasses.”