Photo: Iqaluit residents support Elsipogtog protesters

A group of protesters stand outside the Nunavut RCMP building in Iqaluit Oct. 18 in support of the Elsipogtog First Nation’s anti-fracking protests in eastern New Brunswick. Similar protests occurred across North America — from New York to Vancouver. “It is no coincidence that we are beginning this march in front of this building,” said a leader of the protest, Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory. A demonstration against Texas-based energy company, SWN Resources, looking to use the controversial ‘fracking’ method to extract shale gas led to violence and 40 people getting arrested Oct. 17. “It is important that we make a statement against the excessive force the RCMP were ordered to use against the Elispogtog protesters,” she said. About 25 people turned out for the protest in Iqaluit and marched down the middle of Federal Road to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement statue at 5 p.m., disrupting traffic. RCMP members had to direct traffic around the Four Corners, Iqaluit’s busiest intersection. Read more about the protest later on NunatsiaqOnline.ca. (PHOTO BY DAVID MURPHY)