If Justin Trudeau and Texas oil-giant Kinder Morgan had hoped the movement opposing their plans to build another Tar Sands pipeline between BC and Alberta – March proved that this couldn't be father from the truth. It was also the month the government of Canada was finally forced to admit that it wont meet its United Nations emissions targets in 2020, and likely won't make its 2030 ones either. So it's understandable that people are furious and mobilized, especially with a government failing at its promise to respect indigenous rights, grow the economy and protect the environment at the same time.
The epicentre of the fight has been the City of Burnaby, where Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline from Edmonton terminates. They have a large tank farm and and marine loading facility on the side of Burnaby Mountain. One of the most populated areas in Canada – the pipeline would literally run through people’s backyards and underneath a university campus, putting tens of thousands of lives at risk.
Led by indigenous nations who have not given consent for the pipeline to cross their territory – the resistance has been heating up as Kinder Morgan tries to move forward with construction to triple the capacity of its loading facilities and cut down trees on Burnaby Mountain.
10,000 people showed up and marched together to Kinder Morgan's gates on March 20 – showing yet again that after years of opposition people are still passionate about stopping the pipeline. The massive rally also included the construction of a traditional Coast Salish “Watch House” on the path of the proposed pipeline. This house will be continually occupied and serve as a base of actions to stop the pipeline.
The campaign also stepped up as Kinder Morgan filed a court injunction for a 50 metre “no go” zone around its facilities, citing the constant blockades of construction vehicles by pipeline opponents. A judge pushed that back to 5 meters, but people have continued to defy the “no go” zone with approximately 200 arrested so far at the gates of Kinder Morgan's tank farm.
TD Bank – Totally Divest from Kinder Morgan!
On March 24 the Climate Coalition organized the “TD Bank Blitz” in Burnaby – with activists holding actions and delivering protest letters to all seven of TD Bank's locations in Burnaby. The letters demanded the bank divest the $731 million which it has invested in the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project. This call to action was also joined by organizers in Sechelt and Cowichan, who held similar actions in front of the TD banks in their communities that day as well.
The day started off with a standoff at the first TD Bank, as extra security was brought in to block organizers from delivering a letter to the manager. After promising a TD bank representative would come to receive the letter outside, the security later said that this would actually not be happening. Climate Convergence organizers entered the bank regardless to deliver the letter and announce the reasons for the protest while security pushed, grabbed and shoved them. This was caught by news cameras and TD's hostile approach to receiving a simple letter outlining environmental concerns was broadcast for all of British Columbia to see.
Teams then split up into two groups to deliver letters to other locations. One team was able to slip by security and deliver their letters before setting up a public action outside. The other team was literally followed from bank to bank by a security officer who would block their access to the bank but bring a manager to receive the letter. The day was a big success, with public actions and letters letters delivered to all seven banks.
Both Cowichan and Sechelt reported great turnouts of over 30 people each which were well reflected in local news and pushed the number of banks targeted to nine in one day.
Spring Into Action
Justin Trudeau had now decided to make a fundraising visit to Vancouver and like with every single other visit he has made to the city since his pipeline approval was announced – will be met with a large group of protestors. This action could be the largest yet. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs has also announced that he will be leading a mass action to Kinder Morgan's gates on April 7 with will likely lead to more arrests.
These continuing public mass actions are vital to keep the momentum up to fight the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Kinder Morgan loses millions of dollars every month construction is delayed, and the situation will only escalate if they try to begin construction outside of their already existing facilities. This is a decisive fight against dirty Tar Sands oil and the corporations trying to force through these projects regardless of the human and ecological consequences. We need to keep up the fight and we will win!
Kinder Morgan We Still Say No!
People and Planet before Pipeline and Profit!
TD Bank – Totally Divest from Kinder Morgan!
Follow Thomas Davies on Twitter: @thomasdavies59
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