Rolling protest slows Highway 401 traffic in London region

Rolling blockade in support of B.C. First Nation A moving protest along Highway 401 and the 403 was in support of opposition to a proposed pipeline. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan has more.

London, Ont — A rolling protest of about a dozen vehicles slowed traffic along Highway 401 eastbound on Monday morning, taking up all three lanes.

The Indigenous-led rolling blockade cleared the 401 by late morning and continued down the 403, ending at Six Nations before noon.

Provincial police were advising commuters of possible traffic delays on both the 401 and 403 Monday due to the rolling protest.

The protest, which saw the group of vehicles travel from London to Six Nations, was in support of the Wet’suwet’en nation.

"We are answering the natonal call out for solidarity actions in support of Wet'suwet'en," said Yeyatalunyehu George in a media release.

The Wet’suwet’en nation in British Columbia is fighting the building of pipeline on their lands.

Local chiefs have asked all police and pipeline workers to leave their lands in an ongoing standoff over the pipeline.

Last week heavily armed police arrested protesters of a pipeline that would run through the Wet'suwet'en territory to Kitimat, B.C.

"While this action poses a minor inconvenience for commuters, pipelines pose permanent risks for Indigenous peoples daily," read the release.

In London, police say during the protest their main, “objective is to maintain the safe flow of traffic and, when delays occur, restore traffic flow in the safest manner possible. The OPP is also working with those who may organize protest events to provide a safe and peaceful opportunity to exercise their lawful rights while minimizing the impact on the traveling public, where possible.”

- With files from the Canadian Press.