Three face charges in protest outside Premier John Horgan’s home

Three people are scheduled to appear at the Western Communities courthouse July 15 in relation to alleged mischief and trespass at the home of Premier John Horgan on Feb. 18.

Derek Ryneveld, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case, approved charges against Gerard Breen, Regine Monika Klein and Mark William Nykanen.

The charges stem from protesters going to Horgan’s home for what they said was an act of support for the hereditary Wet’suwet’en chiefs opposed to the Coastal GasLink natural-gas pipeline in northern B.C.

West Shore RCMP were called to the premier’s home about 8 a.m. on Feb. 18. Horgan was not there but arrived soon after with security personnel and spoke with the activists.

Three people were ultimately arrested for refusing to leave an “exclusion zone” established by police.

The intent of the incident was to make a citizen’s arrest of Horgan and prevent him from going to the day’s budget announcement.

The group Extinction Rebellion said it was behind the protest.