Massey Tunnel morning traffic disruptions result in four arrests
Shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Monday June 13, 2022, frontline Richmond RCMP officers responded to the Massey Tunnel after multiple reports of people on foot blocking traffic in both north and south directions.
Three people were found sitting on Highway 99 while a fourth person was perched on a platform ladder.
Three people were arrested without incident, while a C-IRG (Community-Industry Response Group) officer assisted in the safe arrest of the fourth individual on the ladder. The individual on the ladder was determined to be breaching his conditions from a prior protest in a different jurisdiction. Richmond RCMP is pursuing criminal charges in relation to all those who were arrested.
“We respect the rights of individuals for lawful, peaceful and safe protests, however when blocking a major highway is neither lawful or safe, the police need to mitigate the circumstances. Police are mandated to assuring public safety and the safety of everyone including the protestors,” states Inspector Mark Baxter, Richmond RCMP.
Richmond RCMP would like to extend it’s thanks to a commercial truck driver who assisted officers at the scene.