Had a really eye-opening day yesterday. Went down to the Vancouver Law Courts because Kinder Morgan/Trans Mountain is seeking an injunction against protesters blockading their preliminary efforts to expand their pipeline on Mount Burnaby. They are claiming they’ve lost millions due to delays and protesters are trespassing and harassing their workers. Ironically, this is a public park that is unceded Coast Salish territory NOT the limitless piggy bank for a US based corporation. In addition, the city of Burnaby is completely opposed to the expansion. On the plus side, I was happy to see a courtroom so packed there were people sitting on the floor. It was interesting to hear the issues we talk about in our classrooms, on the streets, on facebook, etc. being discussed in open court. Charter rights, freedom to assemble, First Nations rights, and of course the cancerous rate at which these companies extract resources and poison our communities. We were informed during a 15-minute recess that Kinder Morgan was up on the mountain at that very moment attempting to break through the blockade. Many people ran out of the courtroom including myself and headed to the mountain. Kinder Morgan had left by the time we got there, but it was great to see what people are doing (for us) up there. Some people have been there for over a month. My friend came all the way from Kamloops and is likely to become a permanent resident at some point. For many of us in the Lower Mainland, it is only a short trip to get up there and do what we can. From what I can tell, they need a lot of support during “business hours” as well as people staying overnight. All supplies/food I’m sure are welcome. The court case has been adjourned until Wednesday November 5th for a 3-day hearing– let’s fill those seats again! cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kinder-morgan-goes-to-court-to-stop-pipeline-protesters-1.2820579
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 20:22:56 +0000
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