Postmedia News reports, “Canadian activists are planning to mirror their U.S. counterparts outside the White House in Washington who are protesting a proposed pipeline that would transport bitumen from the Alberta oilsands to refineries on the Texas coast. Greenpeace Canada, the Council of Canadians and the Indigenous Environmental Network are to lead the effort on Sept. 26 in Ottawa during a display of ‘civil disobedience’ against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.”
“A specific time or exact location for the action has not been established. (Greenpeace spokesperson Peter) McHugh also could not discuss the type of protest that might unfold in Ottawa.”
The call-out for the Monday September 26 action states, “In a large peaceful protest, many will be risking arrest to tell the Harper government that we don’t support his reckless agenda…” The action itself has been endorsed by Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow, Board member John O’Connor, former Board members Gordon Laxer and Tony Clarke, and notably Tom Goldtooth, George Poitras, Toghestiy Wet’suwet’en, Naomi Klein, Clayton Ruby, Graeme Gibson, Shirley Douglas, and Judy Rebick among others.
The CBC reports, “Maude Barlow, chair of the Council of Canadians, says the government needs a conversion plan to move to alternate energy sources. ‘Tar sands mining has destroyed much of Alberta’s water table and will put the fragile Ogallala Aquifer [the world’s largest known aquifer] in peril. We join with the millions of Americans who oppose the expansion of this deadly industry,’ she said in a statement.”
More information will be coming soon about Council of Canadians participation (both staff and chapters) in this protest, as well as the non-violent civil disobedience action.
The Postmedia News article is at http://www.vancouversun.com/Pipeline+protests+planned+Ottawa/5307122/story.html. The CBC report is at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2011/08/25/pol-oil-protest-planned.html.
