It’s deja vu at Confederation Building in St. John’s on Thursday morning, as police and protesters have shown up in large numbers ahead of the Newfoundland and Labrador government’s plans to introduce the 2024 budget.
By 6 a.m. NT, dozens of Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officers — some in riot gear — were standing guard in front of the main entrances to the building and a growing number of fish harvesters were arriving on scene.
There were no flare-ups in the first few hours of the protest, leading a government announcement just after 8 a.m. that it is moving ahead with the budget. Members of the media were told to be inside the building by 9:30 a.m.
Earlier in the morning, police were seen having a cordial conversation with protest leaders, urging them to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s raucous events — particularly with a court-ordered injunction now in place that prohibits protesters from blocking safe access to Confederation Building, which is both home to the legislature and the main government complex.
Protest leader John Efford Jr. addressed the crowd a few minutes later.
“We’re just going to make our presence known to the people that are going to work this morning. But we are going to be peaceful,” he said over a megaphone. “Do not, do not get caught up in cat-calling. Do not get caught up in incitement. If anybody says anything to you today, say have a nice day.”
The group of mostly fish harvesters have been protesting since early March on a number of conditions. For one, they want to be allowed to sell their catch to buyers outside the province.
They also want processing limits lifted on fish plants, so they can catch their quotas in fewer trips.
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Police and fish harvesters got physical around 8:30 a.m. NT on Wednesday, as protesters moved toward an entrance to Confederation Building in St. John’s.
While the provincial government has committed to acting on both of these demands for the crab fishery — a lucrative but time-limited season that opens in the spring — the protesters say they want these concessions for all species.
The police are now tasked with enforcing an injunction that a Supreme Court of Newfoundland justice handed down during Wednesday’s chaos and commotion.
The injunction prevents anyone from blocking access to the building, or interfering with public servants.
Things got ugly on Wednesday morning when government workers tried to enter the building and were turned back by a throng of protesters. They clashed with police officers and horses, with one protester and one officer being sent to hospital to be treated for injuries. The RNC said it will be pursuing charges against protesters who struck police horses during the melee.
Will a budget be introduced?
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey was adamant on Wednesday that a budget would be introduced, it’s just a matter of when.
Furey said he was disappointed by the actions of “some” protesters, but said his government won’t be stopped from proceeding with important business for the citizens of the province.
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Meghan McCabe, the communications director for N.L. Premier Andrew Furey, tried to enter Confederation Building Wednesday amid dozens of angry protesters. She was yelled at and one protester led her away while police looked on.
“There will be a budget for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, full stop. That is the intent,” he said. “When it is safe to do so, people can enter the building, and we will do it.”
Police donned riot gear on Thursday morning, a step up from their response the previous day. About two dozen officers were guarding the rear entrance of the building as of 6:30 a.m., which is most commonly used by government officials to access their offices.
CBC News will be following the story throughout the day, and will provide regular updates.
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Source Agencies
