Anti-Kinder Morgan vigils held in 12 B.C. communities
Events are part of a series of nationwide vigils organized by 350.org
Protests happened in 12 B.C. communities on Monday as part of a series of nationwide demonstrations urging the federal government to reject the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion between Edmonton and Burnaby.
Along with a rally in Burnaby, environmental group 350.org helped organize events in Greater Vancouver, Vernon, Nelson, Bella Bella, Powell River and five on Vancouver Island, including Victoria.
Group shot of Crab Park <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KMVigils?src=hash">#KMVigils</a> participators <a href="https://t.co/TFMnodFFyz">pic.twitter.com/TFMnodFFyz</a>
—@MegsBatchelorSTOP Kinder Morgan vigil on Gabriola Island, BC <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KMVigils?src=hash">#KMVigils</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STOPKinderMorgan?src=hash">#STOPKinderMorgan</a> <a href="https://t.co/NXuoy7nwwj">pic.twitter.com/NXuoy7nwwj</a>
—@MargyGiGreat turn out on a beautiful night in Victoria for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KMVigils?src=hash">#KMVigils</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopKM?src=hash">#StopKM</a>. Vigils in 45 Cities across Cda. Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/Hfactor241">@Hfactor241</a> for great Photo <a href="https://t.co/QchPxUp2OT">pic.twitter.com/QchPxUp2OT</a>
—@sjandrews76About 100 out tonight in the Comox Valley to tell <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinTrudeau">@JustinTrudeau</a> to keep climate commitments and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopKM?src=hash">#StopKM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KMVigils?src=hash">#KMVigils</a> <a href="https://t.co/0kyZlRhrHP">pic.twitter.com/0kyZlRhrHP</a>
—@ComoxValleyCoCA chart provided by 350.org showed rallies were being planned in every province except Newfoundland, with the environmental group pledging "widespread, coast-to-coast opposition" if the federal government approves the expansion.
In Winnipeg and Calgary, pipeline supporters clashed with opponents who staged counter-demonstrations.
The event came two days after a protest in Vancouver attracted thousands of demonstrators.
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A decision is expected by mid-December on the company's plan to triple the amount of bitumen and other oil products moving through the pipeline, which 350.org says could increase the number of tankers in Georgia Strait from 60 to almost 400 per year.
"This really is Canada's huge pipeline moment," said Stephanie Glanzmann, a UBC Forestry student who was one of a few dozen that attended the protest at Vancouver's Crab Park.
"It really is the moment we're going to see whether or not Justin Trudeau is going to follow through on his commitments to climate action and to his commitment on reconciling with Indigenous communities."