Saturday Rally in Vancouver A "Critical Moment" in Enbridge Campaign
by ForestEthics Advocacy
VANCOUVER - First Nations leaders, politicians, environmentalists, and citizens from all walks of life will gather this Saturday, Nov. 16 in Vancouver to send a loud and clear message against the Enbridge pipeline to the BC government of Christy Clark and to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.“This Saturday’s ‘No Enbridge Pipeline’ rally in Vancouver comes at a critical moment,” said Ben West, ForestEthics Advocacy Tar Sands Campaign Director.
“Christy Clark and Stephen Harper have a choice to make as the NEB decision looms in the weeks ahead: will they listen to the people of BC or not? Are they going to do this the easy way or the hard way, because we have not given consent for this pipeline and we won't let it be built. This could turn out to be our generation’s Clayoquot Sound, but it's still not too late for them to do the right thing," said West.
The rally begins at 2pm Saturday, Nov. 16 outside Science World. Thousands are expected at this family friendly event, which will feature speakers including Art Sterritt of the Coastal First Nations, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen, Yinka Dene Alliance representative Jasmine Thomas, local Vancouver high school climate activist Sam Harrison, plus live music and other special guests and activities.
Interest in the rally has increased after Clark and her Alberta counterpart Alison Redford announced a new “framework agreement” last week. This “deal” comes weeks before a formal decision from the NEB’s Joint Review Panel (JRP) despite the fact that Clark’s BC government formally submitted their opposition to Enbridge during the closing arguments of the JRP hearings.
“People are very alarmed that Premier Clark seems to be flip flopping on the Enbridge pipeline -- many thought it was dead but then just around Halloween it seemed to come back like an oily zombie. We intend to stop this Enbridge monster once and for all,” said West.
There is overwhelming opposition to Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, with polls showing 80% of British Columbians opposed to crude oil tanker traffic on the BC coast. There is an "unbroken wall of opposition” of Indigenous nations, with over 160 First Nations having signed the Save the Fraser Declaration opposing tar sands exports projects through their territory.
"There is no way we will let BC's Premier flip flop on Enbridge; saying no to this proposal is as black and white as the orcas endangered by Enbridge’s reckless plans,” said West.
Volunteers have been knocking on doors, putting posters up all over the region and organizing on social media.
"We will never have the money these big oil companies do to advertise but we have people on our side to help spread the word," said West.
People from all over BC as well as elsewhere in Canada and abroad are posting pictures of themselves -- on sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram -- holding signs saying "another __________ against the Enbridge pipeline." Some signs say “another family” or “another teacher.” Others are more playful and say things like "another Movember man."
"The organizing of this campaign has highlighted the diversity and creativity of this strong and growing social movement. This isn't really a protest, this event is a celebration of the power of people over massive corporations. It's about working together to heal the wounds of past and current injustices done to First Nations people, and it's about doing the right thing for the global community in the age of climate change," said West.
The Vancouver No Enbridge Pipeline Rally is a flagship event in the national Defend our Climate day of action happening in dozens of cities across Canada.
"We can and must do better," said West. "I think we will look back on this moment as one of the turning points in a critical social movement. People will be glad to be able to say they were there and were part of making change for the better," said West.
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For Immediate Release - Thursday, November 14, 2013
For more information contact:
Ben West, Tar Sands Campaign Director, ForestEthics Advocacy – (604) 710-5340
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