What is the role of injunctions in legalizing the forced removal of Indigenous peoples resisting development or extraction on their lands? In this video, grassroots Indigenous leaders discuss the weaponization of injunctions against land defense.
The late Secwepemc leader, Arthur Manuel, called the injunction a “legal billy club” because it is a weapon used to criminalize Indigenous people and remove them from their lands through force. It is put to work when Indigenous peoples refuse to comply with decisions that deny their inherent rights. The beneficiaries are companies and governments who are able to protect their interests because of the way “harm” is recognized by the court. Disruption to economic activity has far out valued Indigenous livelihood and inherent rights
