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“If we continue to look at the world and the land around is just in terms of dollars and cents, we are going to destroy the very things that make that land so precious to us, the very things that keep us alive and healthy,” he said.

With Sunday’s arrests, the total number of protesters who have been removed by the RCMP is more than 60. Some of the arrests have followed physical clashes with police, but many have involved protesters who deliberately crossed the police line after announcing their intention to be arrested.

Most of the arrested protesters have been charged with civil contempt for violating the injunction, but the RCMP said two protesters were arrested Friday night on criminal charges. One man who was accused of spitting at a police officer was charged with assault, while another was charged with obstruction.

The RCMP could not be reached Sunday to comment about the latest arrests.

The protesters are not alone in attempting to stop the Trans Mountain expansion.

The City of Burnaby has filed a lawsuit to prevent Kinder Morgan from cutting down trees and damaging parkland, though the National Energy Board has ruled the company does not need the city’s permission to conduct its survey work. The city is challenging that ruling.

Burnaby’s mayor, Derek Corrigan, has been a vocal opponent of the pipeline expansion.

Opponents of the pipeline have said the expansion would increase the risk of a devastating spill because of the increase in the amount of oil through the pipeline and the added tanker traffic in Vancouver’s harbour. They also link the pipeline to the expansion of Alberta’s oilsands.

Meanwhile, the main protest site is along the only road to Horizons, an upscale restaurant perched on Burnaby Mountain. The restaurant says it has been forced to cancel all reservations during the weekend, leaving 60 employees unable to work.

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