It's a geographic coincidence that a branch of the TD Bank is located so close to Kinder Morgan's Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby. This made a protest connecting the two feasible, but it is also a good indication of how close Kinder Morgan's dangerous oil handling facilities are to major population centres. Climate Convergence, BROKE (Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan's Pipeline) and 350 Vancouver came together to highlight the unholy alliance between the big bank and the big oil company with several actions which began outside the TD Bank and moved to the Kinder Morgan marine terminal, which is currently undergoing expansion work to accommodate the planned dirty Tar Sands pipeline project.
The action was a huge success. The entire block in front of the TD Bank was filled with protestors and colourful signs and banners. There was lots of honking from passing cars, many belonging to those who live in the surrounding area and are coming to understand the huge risks they live with. They are also coming to understand the massive role TD Bank is playing in trying to get the pipeline project built. Despite commitments to “building a healthy planet” TD played a central role in securing financing for the pipeline, and has committed $731 million itself to the project - more than any other bank. People entering the branch that day were giving “TD – Totally Divest!” information leaflets detailing this information.
The groups then marched down the busy road circling Burnaby Mountain, chanting all of the way. Over 150 people completely filled a long pedestrian bridge with bodies and banners – again to loud honking from people driving past.
From there the action moved to block the main entrance to the Kinder Morgan Marine Terminal. The crowd heard from the Solidarity Notes Choir and held a bright yellow “danger tape” banner blocking the front gates which read, “Climate Crime Scene”.
Three hours after the actions had began, the protestors were still chanting and marching back to the TD Bank to wrap up with a circle and closing by Indigenous Elder Eagle Eyes.
These actions have been happening in monthly around Vancouver for the past year, moving to different TD branches and garnering a lot of media attention. They are also a place for groups to work together, and serve as a focal point of emphasizing the fact that the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion is being built by multi-national corporation run by billionaires to serve the same corporations and their billionaires. People are learning this in action, as well as their important role in working together to stop the dirty tar stands oil pipeline.
Kinder Morgan, We Still Say NO!
TD Bank, We Say No, the Pipeline Got to Go!
Follow Thomas Davies on Twitter: @thomasdavies59
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