REXTON, N.B.

A Sun News Network reporter and four other journalists were swarmed by Native protesters Saturday near a shale gas exploration site in New Brunswick.

Sun News reporter Kris Sims said about eight people threatened her, a Global News journalist, a CTV reporter and two other crew members while they were filming six burned cop cars that were set ablaze by protesters during violent anti-fracking protests Thursday near Rexton.

Sims said a man dressed in camoflouge shouted, “Get the f--- out of here or I’ll break your f---ing cameras! All you tell are lies!”

The same protester then threatened to destroy their cars, vans and video equipment.

“Get your vans out of here before I seize it. Get it out of here right now before I seize it and that’s going where the f---ing other cars were going,” he said while gesturing to the razed RCMP cars.

As the journalists grabbed their cameras and tried to leave, the group surrounded them and demanded that they exit their cars, Sims said.

One woman blocked Sims’ car and threatened to drag her out, she said.

When she was asked who she worked for, Sims said she identified herself as a reporter.

Sims said she begged the group leader to allow her to drive away from the scene.

After being let through, she said she picked up the other members of the media who were on foot and headed to a nearby RCMP station while on the line with 911.

So. I'm the only one that got out with a car. Native protesters forced CTV & Global News out of their trucks in Rexton NB. Threatened all. — Kris Sims (@kris_sims) October 19, 2013

In a tweet sent from the station, Global reporter Laura Brown said: “Making a statement — to be clear, it was only about 5 people — They should not blanket the rest of those inv(olved) w/shale gas movement.”

Making a statement-to be clear,it was only about 5 people - They should not blanket the rest of those inv. w/shale gas movement @Global_NB — Laura Brown (@01LBrown) October 19, 2013





The Assembly of First Nations’ Chiefs in New Brunswick in a statement Saturday condemned the “acts of intimidation against representatives of the media.”

“We urge that all manifestations of support be peaceful, do not block roads and simply aim at respectfully communicating the First Nation point of view on our rights.”

A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney also condemned the “shameful actions” of the protesters.

“Canadians expect that those involved will be held accountable to the full extent of the law,” spokesman Jean-Christophe de Le Rue said in an e-mail.

The RCMP said Saturday they are investigating the clash.

On Thursday, RCMP arrested 40 protesters after anti-fracking demonstrations turned violent. Police said at least one shot was fired and Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers, while protesters claim cops fired rubber bullets and pepper spray at them. Police said Friday officers seized explosives, firearms, ammo, knives and bear spray at the scene.

-- With files from Kris Sims and Jessica Hume