Nearly 1,000 people have expressed interest in attending a protest rally in support of the sovereignty of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
The B.C. Legislature will play host to a demonstration at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11th, planned by the newly formed advocacy group, Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Victoria.
The group’s focus is the protection of Indigenous territories from pipelines, like Coastal GasLink’s (CGL) liquified natural gas (LNG) pipeline, and the declaration of support for the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
Beginning at noon, the rally will feature Indigenous and non-Indigenous speakers and performers, and is expected to finish around 2:00 p.m.
It is part of a “Week of Solidarity,” planned by activists to support anti-pipeline and pro-Indigenous sovereignty efforts in British Columbia.
See also: Victoria climate activists plan protest to stop LNG on Black Friday
UVic students have organized their own demonstration against the LNG pipeline, taking place on Friday January 10th. Students are planning to walk out of their classes, march around Ring Road, and also demonstrate on the lawn of the B.C. Legislature.
The Wet’suwet’en Nation’s territory exists in the northwestern Central Interior of the province. There are five clans that make up the nation.
On December 31st, 2019, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Marguerite Church granted an injunction against members of Wet’suwet’en nation who had been protesting and demonstrating against the construction of the LNG pipeline through their territory.
The nation rejected the Justice’s decision, and have begun removing CGL contractors from the site. According to a statement published by the organizers of Saturday’s protest, the last CGL contractor was escorted out of the worksite by Wet’suwet’en chiefs on Saturday January 4th, 2020.
Stop the Assault on Indigenous Sovereignty rally
- When: Saturday, January 11th, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Legislative Assembly, 501 Belleville Street
