Arthur Hadland, former Peace River politician, charged after Site C protest

A long time politician and area farmer has been charged with mischief after being arrested at a Site C dam protest yesterday near Fort St John.

Arthur Hadlandwas released at 9:00 p.m. PT Wednesday night after being held for almost 12 hours. He was arrested while blocking traffic at the BC Hydrodam construction site.

"I don't want to be a hero,"Hadlandtold CBC News. "Someone has to speak for the river."

Hadland is a former Peace River RegionalDistrict director. He also ran as an independent in the riding of Peace River North in the 2013 provincial election.

He saidpolice initially told him he would be held until the protest was over, thenreleased without charges.

But in the end he was charged with mischief.

Hadland called his first time in the cells "a little uncomfortable."

RCMP say two other protesters were also arrested Wednesday.

People opposed to Site C posted on social media through the evening about Hadland's arrest.

The $9-billion SiteCdam project will flood an 80 kilometreswathe of Peace River farmland.