Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hundreds to attend anti-pipeline protest in downtown Victoria today

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Over a thousand people are poised to gather in downtown Victoria this evening to protest the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Last week, several different organizations and groups (Salish Sea Organizing Collective, in collaboration with Protect the Inlet, Greenpeace Victoria, Rise and Resist Kinder Morgan, the Council of Canadians Victoria Chapter, Wilderness Committee, Dogwood BC, and Sierra Club BC) came together to organize the protest against the pipeline expansion and Kinder Morgan’s May 31st deadline to the governments of Canada, Alberta, and BC.

On Tuesday, May 29th, the federal government announced its purchase of the pipeline for $4.5 billion, as a way to meet Kinder Morgan’s imposed deadline and push the project forward.

This seems to have strengthened the opposition’s movement, and as of the time of publication, 1.4 thousand people have expressed interest in attending the protest rally this evening.

People who attend are encouraged to bring items that will help them be as loud as possible. “Please bring: your pots, pans, musical instruments and noise-makers of any kind; signs and symbols of resistance; your friends, neighbours, family, and children; your love of the coast and your willingness to defend it,” reads the event page description.

Indigenous chiefs and First Nations have already assembled in Montreal earlier this week to protest the project, and Indigenous groups protesting the pipeline’s construction in Burnaby said they’ll push back regardless of Tuesday’s announcement.

“This is the moment in history where Justin Trudeau has revealed that he never cared about Indigenous rights or reconciliation,” said Will George, Tsleil-Waututh member and spokesperson for the Coast Salish Watch House.

“The cost that they did not calculate in their $4.5 billion purchase is that Indigenous frontlines will stop this pipeline.”

The protestors in Victoria will gather at the Visitor Information Centre at 5:30 PM, followed by procession to Centennial Square.

No Kinder Morgan Buyout!: March from the Inner Harbour

  • When: Thursday, May 31st, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
  • Where: Visitor Information Centre, Inner Harbour
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Brishti Basu
Former Senior Staff Writer and Content Manager at Victoria Buzz.

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