Dozens of supporters of an Elsipogtog First Nations warrior chief cheered as he left a Moncton courtroom Monday morning.
John Levi has been a vocal opponent against shale gas testing in Kent County since SWN Resources started to conduct seismic testing in the area last month.
Levi, 45, was arrested during a shale gas protest on June 21 and charged with mischief and obstructing a police officer. On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Crown wanted to keep Levi behind bars, but his lawyer argued he wasn’t a threat.
“Apparently the Crown believed by tying into the fact that he’s been labelled a warrior chief that somehow implied violence,” says defence attorney T.J. Burke. “Mr. Levi’s testimony today, that it’s the exact opposite.”
There was standing room only in the courtroom as Levi testified in his own defence and his own probation officer also took the stand, calling Levi a model client.
“That was nice, nice to see all the support,” says Levi. “We are a civilized people. We are a peaceful people. We do peaceful protests.”
At one point during the hearing, a man from Cross Lake First Nation in northern Manitoba stood up and voiced his support for Levi before being escorted from the courtroom.
“I will support him as long as he lives and I will support anybody who’s peacefully assembling, protecting and preserving their territory and their people,” says Raymond Robinson.
Levi was released on the condition that he not go within 100 metres of any seismic testing equipment, SWN employees or any sub-contractors hired by the company.
A request for comment from SWN Resources wasn’t answered.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
