Burnaby commuters should keep their eyes open for a climate justice protest on Lougheed Highway during the afternoon rush hour.
Climate Convergence protesters plan to stake out the intersection of Lougheed Highway and Willingdon Avenue this afternoon (Friday, May 5) between 4:30 and 6 p.m. with signs, banners and information to hand out to passersby about the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX) and the Coastal GasLink pipeline (CGL), a press release notes.
“The continued construction of the TMX and CGL pipeline projects is an ongoing disaster for the climate and Indigenous rights," said Climate Convergence central organizer Alison Bodine in the release.
"On April 28, the fracked-gas CGL pipeline was issued a stop work order by the provincial government for its destruction of vital fish habitat. This is just the latest of ongoing environmental violations and spills that have plagued the project, which is being pushed ahead despite the opposition of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs whose traditional territory it crosses.”
Bodine called the TMX pipeline protest "a climate destroyer."
"This destruction is going to cost taxpayers in Canada over $30 billion dollars. Most recently, TMX has come under fire for its destruction of the habitat of the endangered spotted owl, which is supposed to be protected under federal law. Yet, the Trudeau government continues to press ahead with TMX.”
May 5 also marks Red Shirt Day, a day of awareness in Canada for missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people.
Bodine said the intersection action will call attention to the connection between resource extraction projects and increased violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQ+ people.
"As per the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls final report, 'resource extraction projects can drive violence against Indigenous women in several ways, including issues related to transient workers, harassment and assault in the workplace, rotational shift work, substance abuse and addictions, and economic insecurity,'" Bodine said.
"We are also joining together today to demand justice for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people."
📢 SOUND OFF: Where do you stand on the TMX and Coastal GasLink projects? Can we afford the environmental costs? Or can we afford the costs of not continuing? Share your thoughts — send us a letter.
