In a statement today, RCMP Commanding officer assistant commissioner Roger Brown telling media the weapons and explosives seized show it was no longer a peaceful protest and a threat to public safety.
Brown adds the officers showed professionalism while some in the crowd were throwing rocks and bottles at them and spraying them with bear spray.
40 people were arrested in the melee and early this morning an attempt was made to burn the Elsipogtog First Nation RCMP office. The fire was put out.
