MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
November 3, 2011

Council of Canadians to help “surround” White House to oppose Keystone XL Pipeline

WHAT: A rally to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline, followed by people gathering together to #surround the whole White House. More than 4,000 people have already signed up to join the action, which will also see participation from Occupy DC.

WHERE: The rally begins at Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington, DC.

WHEN: The rally starts at 2 p.m., November 6, 2011.

WHO: Council of Canadians Chairperson Maude Barlow and Political Director Brent Patterson will be present at the action and available for comment. Barlow will be one of the featured speakers at the closing rally, which begins at 5:00pm.

WHY: Barlow and Patterson are taking part in the action to highlight that many Canadians do not support the Keystone XL pipeline and want the Harper government to address the social and environmental devastation caused by the tar sands.  Barlow was arrested September 26 on Parliament Hill while protesting the Keystone XL pipeline and demanding federal government action to address the tar sands.

The #surround action takes place exactly one year before the next presidential election and just shortly after the November 1 debate in the Nebraska legislature on legislation that could delay the pipeline for years. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to lobby U.S. President Barack Obama again in favour of the pipeline in Honolulu on November 13.

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For More Information:

Jan Malek, Council of Canadians, 1800-387-7177, ext 231, cell: 613-301-8346 e-mail: jmalek@canadians.org
Twitter: @CouncilofCDNS, #surround