The Climate Convergence Coalition in Vancouver has had a busy month participating in the many ongoing actions against the Kinder Morgan pipeline, and building its own May 12 “Kinder Morgan Pipeline? Don’t Bank on It!” mass rally and march. As Kinder Morgan’s self-imposed May 31 deadline to decide on whether to move forward with the pipeline nears, these actions become all the more important.
On April 7, Climate Convergence organizers brought their “Climate Crime Scene” banner to the gates of the Kinder Morgan tank farm facility with hundreds of others. Under thunder and heavy rain, they blocked both entrances to a facility with Indigenous leaders including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip leading the mass civil disobedience. This was the first time that Kinder Morgan did not ask the police to arrest people, who stayed for several hours blocking any possibility of continuing work. The next day Kinder Morgan released its now infamous press release announcing a halt to “all non-essential spending” on the pipeline expansion project.
April 14 saw another demonstration organized by the Pipe Up Network in Surrey. Climate Convergence joined Surrey residents in calling out TD Bank for sponsoring Surrey’s Earth Day Festival, yet being the largest investor in the Kinder Morgan pipeline.
Given the amount of heavy rain at so many actions, Climate Convergence organized its first ever “Umbrella Edition Art Build.” It was a great success with many people turning their umbrellas into beautiful reusable protest signs, while others worked on 16 umbrellas which spelled, “STOP KINDER MORGAN” in huge letters.
Sunday, April 22 saw Climate Convergence organizers travel to Kamloops to participate and speak as part of the “Picnics Not Pipelines” action, which was organized local indigenous Secwepemc organizers right on the path of the Kinder Morgan pipeline to emphasize their nations opposition to the project.
As May 12 approaches, the coalition is busy building the action and deciding on a march route which will target many of Kinder Morgan’s largest investors, as well as huge construction contractors trying to profit from the dangerous and unnecessary project. Big action on May 12 will be another important message to Kinder Morgan as it decides on the future of the pipeline project. It will all begin at 1 pm, in front of the TD Bank Tower at 700 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver. See you all there!
Kinder Morgan, We Still Say No!
No Consent – No Pipeline!
Follow Thomas Davies on Twitter: @thomasdavies59
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