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Woman chains herself to ferry fence in protest

Valerie Bob of the Penelakut Island chained herself in protest against the band's lack of accountability
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Valerie Bob

Police are still contemplating charges to a Penelakut Island woman who chained herself to a BC Ferries loading dock fence Monday in protest against her band.

North Cowichan/Duncan Cpl. Jon Stuart confirmed Valerie Bob of the Penelakut Tribe chained herself to the fence, blocking passengers from unloading the ferry which arrived at about noon Monday.

"I understand she was chained in total for about an hour," Stuart said Tuesday.

RCMP weren't called immediately, he noted, and it was only after Ferries staffers were unsuccessful in talking her out of unlocking her chain, police were notified.

Bob, who told television news crews her stand was inspired by a number of grievances with her band, but most recently her electricity at her home being cut off, was finally persuaded by police to leave the location.

"She agreed to move herself from the fence," Stuart said. "But unfortunately she couldn't remember the code to the lock she was using, so we had to use bolt cutters."





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