LAKETON, N.B. – A highway in northeastern New Brunswick has reopened after a demonstration against shale gas development forced its closure for a few hours Thursday.
Const. Julie Rogers-Marsh says a truck and equipment were damaged by acts of vandalism during the protest on Highway 11 near Laketon, N.B., about 30 kilometres south of Miramichi.
She says police rerouted traffic due to safety concerns.
Police say while most of the protesters were peaceful, one woman was arrested for mischief, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.
Protesters have been gathered in the area for the past few days in anticipation of a resumption of shale gas exploration by SWN Resources.
A spokesman for SWN Resources declined comment Thursday.
Last month, during a protest in nearby Rexton, 40 people were arrested and weapons seized when the Mounties enforced a court-ordered injunction to end the blockade of a compound where SWN Resources stored exploration equipment and vehicles.
The protesters say they’re concerned that shale gas exploration poses a threat to the environment.
The provincial government says it wants to forge ahead with a shale gas industry if it can be done safely.