Anti-pipeline rally set to take over Broadway-Commercial intersection Wednesday
Credit to Author: Postmedia News| Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2020 22:22:19 +0000
The show of support and solidarity for Wet’suwet’en land defenders continues.
The latest event is a rally set to take place Wednesday evening in east Vancouver, demanding RCMP officers “stop harassing Indigenous communities” and for the government to prioritize “people and planet before pipelines and profit.”
Here’s what you need to know about today’s event. You can also check back later once the rally begins for more updates.
The protest rally, titled No CGL & TMX Pipelines! Intersection Action, is being advertised on Facebook and via posters around town. it is organized by a group called Climate Convergence Metro Vancouver.
It’s happening at the intersection of Broadway and Commercial Drive, from 5 to 7 p.m. Organizer Alison Bodine with Climate Convergence says plans are to occupy the intersection but said some participants may choose to remain on the sidewalk. Bodine says there are no plans to occupy the nearby SkyTrain station.
If recent protests have been any indication, you can expect a mostly peaceful rally, with some traffic impacts and transit re-routes.
Wednesday’s rally builds off the momentum from weeks of public action and shows of solidarity for the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, who are fighting the Coastal GasLink pipeline project in northeast B.C.
The $6.6-billion Coastal GasLink pipeline is set to extend from Dawson Creek to Kitimat, and has the support of 20 elected band councils along the route. Each of the councils has signed benefit agreements with the company ensuring proceeds that would help each band become less reliant on federal funding.
Coastal GasLink protesters and Wet’suwet’en supporters blockade a rail line located at Renfrew and Broadway in east Vancouver on Feb. 15.
Five Wet’suwet’en hereditary clan chiefs, however, say the pipeline cannot proceed without their consent, as they have authority over a broader 22,000 square kilometres of traditional territory that is crossed by the pipeline, whereas the elected band councils control smaller reserve lands. Alternate routes were proposed by the clan chiefs but CGL maintained the alternatives were not feasible and would increase costs.
Court injunctions issued to Coastal GasLink order land defenders, supporters and protesters off the construction site so that work can continue, and these injunctions have been executed by RCMP officers in recent weeks, resulting in arrests.
Alison Bodine, Climate Convergence organizer
“In only one week the government of Canada trampled Indigenous rights in favour of climate killing pipeline projects twice. First, there was the Federal Court of Appeal ruling in favour of TMX. Now they have arrested and attacked Wet’suwet’en land defenders in an attempt to make way for the CGL pipeline,” she said in a statement.
“If we gave up this struggle every time there was a disappointing government or court decision, these pipelines would have been built long ago. We will continue to do what has been effective so far: sustained mass action and campaigns uniting as many groups and communities as possible to stop the pipelines.”
Sgt. Aaron Roed, media officer with the Vancouver Police
“The Vancouver police do have information that there may be a protest this afternoon and will be monitoring. If the protest does happen, we will be updating any disruptions to traffic and the public through our social media websites,” said Roed in an email.
“We do have plans in place to deal with situations that may arise, however, for security reasons we would not share publicly what those plans are.”
Jill Drews, media spokeswoman with TransLink
“TransLink today has filed an injunction application with BC Supreme Court seeking to prevent protesters from occupying any TransLink facilities. While TransLink supports the right to peaceful protest, the safety of our customers and our staff is our priority. We have taken the step of requesting an injunction for all properties to ensure the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on the Expo and Millennium Lines, Canada Line, SeaBus and other TransLink facilities every day can get to their destinations safely.”
“We understand a protest is planned for this evening near Commercial Broadway SkyTrain Station. This is one of the busiest stations on the system and is a vital link for the more than 25-thousand customers who travel through each day.”
“This injunction will not prevent protests from blocking municipally and provincially owned roadways. Bus customers should be prepared for delays and detours.”
More to come.