Beatrice Hunter supporters rally outside Colonial Building in St. John's
Rally began Thursday afternoon, day before Hunter scheduled to appear in court
More than 100 supporters of Beatrice Hunter, an Inuk woman who was incarcerated after refusing to stop protesting at the Muskrat Falls site, rallied Thursday at Colonial Building in St. John's.
Drummers and protesters holding #FreeBeatrice signs gathered at the site around 12:30 p.m.
Earlier in the week, protesters stood outside Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's, a men's prison where Hunter is being held.
Rally in support of jailed Inuk Beatrice Hunter at the Colonial Building. First arrivals. This is Brooklyn. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/vpIuhdUlKD">pic.twitter.com/vpIuhdUlKD</a>
—@todd_obrienHunter, 48, was jailed after refusing to promise to stay away from the Muskrat Falls construction site in Labrador, violating a court injunction.
She's scheduled to appear in provincial court in Happy Valley-Goose Bay again on Friday.
"This rally marks the beginning of a renewed effort to bring about justice for the land protectors and an end to Nalcor's injustices in Labrador. We are only getting started," said Jodi Greenleaves, one of the protesters.
At the rally, the New Democrat MHA for St. John's Centre, Gerry Rogers, also read a written statement by Hunter to the crowd of supporters.
"Nalcor, the more you try to lock me up and throw away the key, the more it says about you and not me," read Rogers on behalf of Hunter.
"Drop all charges against Labrador land protectors."
<a href="https://t.co/qm8Wwwc2aj">pic.twitter.com/qm8Wwwc2aj</a>
—@todd_obrienWants charges against all "land protectors" and Justin Brake of The Independent dropped. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/El7V6IrgJy">pic.twitter.com/El7V6IrgJy</a>
—@todd_obrienWith files from Todd O'Brien