According to Vancouver media, including the Sun newspaper, Rising Tide Vancouver protestors have taken responsibility for the demonstration, which it planned as a response to the facility’s coal exports.

Rising Tide Vancouver spokeswoman Chandra Tung said its members wanted to draw attention to the “flawed” environmental impact assessment process for the planned coal terminal at Fraser Surrey Docks in the city.

Meanwhile, the port is accusing the protesters of assault of its employees, as several made attempts to remove the masked demonstrators from the premises.

Port staff said the group also caused property damage through its illegal access to the building.

Tung called the assault accusations “absolutely, completely untrue” and told the paper that Rising Tide would release footage that showed the port’s employees assaulting protestors in a “disproportionately violent response”

“We know that folks have lots of opinions about some of the projects that the port is involved in and we certainly endeavour to engage in respectful conversation about that,” Port Metro planning and operations vice president Peter Xotta told the Sun.

“This is not acceptable and we’re not going to tolerate it.”

Tung said the group’s protests would continue, noting that its members would “take to the streets to stop it” should the terminal construction come to fruition.

Xotta, who told the paper that Port Metro called 911 to allow the Vancouver police to deal with the individuals, said one of his staffers was sent to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.

No charges have been filed against Rising Tide, with the port saying its office would cooperate with the police should the issue progress.