Activists take to waters of Burrard Inlet to protest pipeline

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The fight against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project continues — this time by boat.

A flotilla of more than 100 protesters spent the morning on the waters of the Burrard Inlet to protest the federally approved project.

Organizer Will George says he wanted to hold the demonstration to show the fight isn’t over.

“Focusing on what’s important, it is our culture. Our teachers, you hear all the ones here that are teaching, those are the same teachings that sustained us for centuries so, just continue to demonstrate that and be able to have that space for our ceremonies that we are protecting.”

He says the project can’t go on without the consent of First Nation leaders and adds that demonstrations will continue to be held weekly.

“It’s a Texas-based oil company and working in my territory, threatening my ceremonies and my family, and I’ll do whatever it takes to stop them.”

Chief Bob Chamberlin, who is the Chief Councilor of Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, spoke to a crowd at Cates Park following the flotilla. He says he’s spoken with media outlets
around the world about the issues surrounding the Trans Mountain pipeline — something he says shows the world is watching.

“And it’s really uplifting for me and share that information with you — not that I’ve done these things — but the fact that the message that we gather here today is getting out to the world,” he said. “And for me that is where I think we’re going to finally get the attention of this government.”

Chamberlin adds he has also met with Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who he claims asked what the federal government can do to help.

“Jagmeet Singh wanted to know what messaging they can do to help us. They wanted us to know that they have a clear plan about alternative green energy that they are going to be bringing out during the next election. This is really important to me.”

Groups have been protesting the pipeline expansion project for months, mainly in front of the company’s terminal on Burnaby Mountain. They have resulted in more than 200 arrests so far.

In a release by the Burnaby RCMP, Mounties say they’ve issued multiple warnings in recent months in relation to water based demonstrations.

“During the summer months there will be increased marine traffic on the body of water around Westridge Marine Terminal,” the release reads. “Any attempt to block the Inlet or waterway is extremely dangerous and unlawful. Should they put themselves in harms way, demonstrators are not only putting their own lives at risk, they are also putting the lives of responding police officers and members of the public at risk too.”

The flotilla comes just more than 10 days after Greenpeace protesters rappelled down the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in what the group called an “aerial bridge blockade.”

George was one of the protesters who dangled from the crossing for about 40 hours. He was also arrested.

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