Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs denounced the political powers that he said are ultimately behind the escalation of the confrontation in New Brunswick.

“Without question, governments are trying to send a very harsh message that if you stand up and oppose any of these projects, you are going to face the brute force of the state.”

Phillip also said the clash between RCMP and members of the Elsipogtog First Nation and their supporters, who were opposing shale gas exploration near their homes, is just the beginning.

“People are mobilizing right across this country right now, and this will not dissipate,” Phillip said. “And the Harper government is obsessive in their efforts to become a world petro-power, and he will stop at nothing.”

Phillip says the brutality of the attack on protesters in New Brunswick was a message to all opponents of pipelines.

Shawn Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was also at the rally in Vancouver, where he said that Canadians’ reactions to this event will make this an important moment in Canadian history.

“We have been saying for decades, it’s either a moment for collaboration or collision,” he said.

A crowd of more than 400 then took to the streets of downtown Vancouver, blocking afternoon rush-hour traffic as they held banners, signs, and shouted chants in support of the New Brunswick protesters.

Earlier Friday, in Victoria, close to 200 people marched to the legislature in a show of support. Speakers at that event blamed New Brunswick police for escalating the situation that led to the violence.