HALIFAX. Twenty-three people were arrested by the Nova Scotia RCMP in connection to a pair of incidents that occurred outside of a lobster pound in southwestern Nova Scotia. In October 2020 the Sipekne’katik First Nation were storing their lobster when a mob of angry locals stormed the pound.

The Sipekne’katik First Nation were exercising their ‘moderate living fishing’ rights.

After the incident, the RCMP had confirmed that about 200 people were present at the October 13, 2020 incident facility in Middle West Pubnico, N.S.

Photos and videos of the incidents were posted on social media, they showed lobster strewn about the facility. Observers told the RCMP that a large group had prevented employees from leaving the building, which was damaged by the crowd. One suspect was later charged with arson after a van was set on fire outside the building. The pound was burned to the ground early on Oct. 17.

On January 12, the RCMP announced that they had charged twenty-three people with to criminal activity. Fifteen people were charged with breaking and entering, while an additional eight people were charged with breaking and entering and mischief.

All 23 names can be found on the RCMP – Nova Scotia website.