Updated:Apr,il 19, 2021, 2:57 P.M.
Updated: April 18, 2021, 8:50 A.M.
Vancouver, B.C.
Calls for court support in trial
Opinion
Mildred German
Unceded Territories – A 21-year old Filipino-Canadian youth activist is calling for support for her upcoming trial in connection with protests against the TMX pipeline.
Laurel Fermina was arrested on Wednesday, April 14, her second after being arrested on March 3rd in a peaceful protest and charged with “obstruction and mischief”.
Fermina was one of six indigenous and settler land defenders who were arrested in a lockdown to protest against the two Vancouver-based insurance companies- Liberty Mutual (999 W Hastings St.) and CHUBB (250 Howe St.). These insurance companies are reported to finance and provide insurance for the controversial pipeline expansion.
The March blockade and sacred fire ceremony in Vancouver’s intersection of Clark Dr. and Hastings St. was to pray for and to demand the release of Ojibway Elder Stacy Gallagher (who had been sentenced to 90 days of prison). This action was called by Braided Warriors. Fermina,acti in solidarity for the protesters, also served as security for an Indigenous Elder.
Fermina complained of police “brutality” in an interview with philippinecanadiannews.com (PCN.Com).
“My injuries & pain from the brutality was severe enough that I had to be taken by ambulance to Emergency,” she told PCN.Com. “The cops kept slamming the paddy wagon door against my head. Open, close, open, close, and each time it hit my head.”
A first-generation Filipino-Canadian youth, the Philippine-born Laurel grew up in Cavite. A former Capilano University nursing student, she is of Ifugao and Bicolano roots. She came to Canada at the age of seven, following her father who came first to Canada. She was reunited with her family shortly.
CALL FOR COURT SUPPORT
(Social-distancing and masks and face covering protocols in-effect)
*APRIL 30, Friday, 1 P.M. at the VPD on 2120 Cambie St. Vancouver
*MAY 4, 2021, Tuesday, 2 P.M. at Provincial Court, #307-222 Main St. Vancouver
*JULY 7, 2021, Wednesday, 1 P.M. at the VPD on 2120 Cambie St. Vancouver
*JULY 14, 2021, Wednesday, 2 P.M> at Provincial Court, #307-222 Main St. Vancouver
