RCMP search for protesters who surrounded N.S. premier's vehicle, smashed windshield

RCMP say they are trying to identify a group of protesters who swarmed the vehicle of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, including whoever smashed its windshield while he was inside.

RCMP search for protesters who surrounded N.S. premier's vehicle, smashed windshield RCMP say one person was arrested, but has been released RCMP say they are trying to identify a group of protesters who swarmed the vehicle of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, including whoever smashed its windshield while he was inside. The incident happened Wednesday at Acadia University in Wolfville, where Houston was speaking to the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce about his vision for the province's economy. As Houston left the event, the SUV he was travelling in was surrounded.

Police say an individual then climbed onto the vehicle and broke the windshield. “Those who unlawfully interfere with or threaten the safety of any person or property will be held accountable,” RCMP said in a news release Thursday. “Acts of violence will not be tolerated and will be investigated fully by police.”

RCMP said one man was arrested on Wednesday and released without charges. The release said the arrest was related to an incident that occurred during the protest, but the individual arrested is not believed to have been involved in the damage to the premier's vehicle or in preventing that vehicle from leaving the area. In a social media post on Wednesday, Houston thanked the RCMP for how they handled the "volatile situation.”

“What happened after the event today was not peaceful. It was violence,” Houston said in the video on TikTok. “I think Nova Scotians know that I will engage with anyone.

I will listen and sometimes I will even change my mind based on those respectful conversations. “This was not that.” When Houston first arrived on campus, about 50 peaceful protesters were standing outside, mostly looking to draw attention to concerns about the potential closure of five libraries in the Annapolis Valley.

But as the premier spoke, the crowd grew larger and louder. People were protesting a number of issues including the ability for Mi'kmaq to regulate their own cannabis sales, the province's plan to promote fracking and mining, and the need to observe treaty rights. Houston is speaking again today at another chamber of commerce event in Yarmouth.

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