A Vancouver subway tunnel was blocked by protesters during Monday morning’s trip.
Members of Save Old Growth, a group behind other traffic-disrupting protests in recent months, said they would block the northern entrance to the George Massie Tunnel on Monday, stopping traffic south.
The British Columbia Department of Transport has confirmed that the tunnel was blocked around 7:15 a.m., saying drivers should “expect major delays and congestion”.
On Monday morning, the group also blocked traffic on the Second Narrow Bridge. At around 7:30 a.m., police were in the area and removed the protesters from the checkpoint.
By 9 a.m., protesters had been cleared of both the Massi Tunnel and the Second Narrow.
Save Old Growth said it had taken a six-week break to recruit and train more protesters, adding that it was resuming a series of blockades of highways and bridges across the Vancouver and Vancouver subways.
“This time we are trying to make sure that this is a permanent occupation of the highway, which is quite unprecedented,” said Save Old Growth spokesman Zayn Huck over the weekend.
“If we are removed on the first day, the plan is to return the next day and the next day in greater numbers, as long as there is a critical mass that cannot be easily removed.”
Save Old Growth calls for an end to deforestation in British Columbia through legislative changes.
A group of counter-protesters, called Clear the Road, has accused Save Old Growth of holding the hostages and plans to launch a group case against them.
“I am very concerned that their actions will simply escalate and escalate to the point that it is even more dangerous for travelers and the RCMP,” said Clear the Road organizer Tamara Megit.
“Anyone who has been affected by these (protests), anyone who has lost their jobs or something like that, tell us your story. We are looking to document and a class action lawsuit will be discussed with law firms. “
This is an evolving story. Check again for updates.
With files from Shannon Patterson and Regan Hasegawa from Vancouver on CTV News
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