Climate Justice Victoria

'The Secwepemc people have never signed, ceded, or surrendered their territory and they have not given consent to build the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. In September, Secwepemc people led a month of direct action calling on all people to Sqeq'petsin (Mission Flats Beach) to assert their rights and title through continued usage of the land. On October 3rd, an ongoing occupation of the beach began under the leadership of Secwepemc Woman, Miranda Dick, Hereditary Daughter ...and member of the Woman's Sacred Fire Council. Since October 3rd, nine people have been arrested in attempt to stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) including Miranda Dick, her father, sister, and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Now, with the landscape under a thin layer of snow, the camp has closed for the winter, but the ceremony and actions to stop the pipeline have not. This fundraiser is to cover the ongoing costs needed by Secwepemc Land defenders and their supporters. Help us continue to tell the story and build momentum. Funds raised here will go towards : - Videography, photo and film production - Travel Costs - Honourariums for speaking at public events and gatherings - Graphic Design - Equipment Visual storytelling is very important. We can not trust the media to centre Indigenous voices on the frontlines. Mainstream media have proven time and time again that they work within the same colonial system used to oppress Indigenous people. Support Secwepemc Land Defenders in telling their story and stop the TMX pipeline.'

! We're so excited to release this video of our Sound the Alarm action by Karissa Chandrakate and set to The Warriors by Snotty Nose Rez Kids! On Tues Nov 17th, the evening of the Trans Mountain crown corporation annual meeting, community members in Victoria organized an action to sound the alarm on TMX. We came out in solidarity with Secwepemc, Tsleil-Waututh, and Nlaka'pamux land defenders who are resisting this pipeline on their territories.... Defund TMX and put that money in a Green New Deal! We're going to have to get creative resisting this pipeline under new COVID restrictions but one way to help right away is to donate to Karissa's fundraiser to document Secwepemc land defence : https://www.gofundme.com/f/rise-now

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: [email protected] November 18, 2020 Two Water Protectors Lock Down to Enbridge Line 3 Excavators Blocking Active Construction... (Two Inlets, MN) This morning, two water protectors locked their bodies through the treads of excavators working on a pump station for Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands pipeline, as dozens of others rallied in support. Last week, Democratic Governor Tim Walz’ administration approved the last major permits needed by Enbridge, a Canadian multi-national seeking to build the Line 3 expansion project to carry Alberta tar sands to the shore of Lake Superior. The administration approved sending up to 1M barrels of tar sands per day through 212 water bodies and 818 wetlands in Anishinaabe treaty territory of northern Minnesota. On Monday, the 12 of 17 members of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Environmental Justice Advisory Group resigned, calling the permit approvals a continuation of Minnesota’s war on black and brown people. George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, earlier this year. When asked why they would take such a risk to their safety and freedom, Betsy Foy, 20, (St. Paul), said, I grew up in Nebraska hearing about the devastation the Keystone pipeline would cause, so when I moved to Minnesota and learned about Line 3, I felt called to take action. Even if I can’t stop something on my own, it’s vital to have many people in the movement standing in solidarity. Mira Grinsfelder, 24, (St. Paul), said, Having grown up on occupied Anishinaabe and Dakota land, I feel a responsibility to defend that land and the rights of the people who have a relationship to it. If the US government won’t defend Anishinaabe treaty rights, we will. If the Minnesota government won’t protect the water, we will.

The Indigenous people of the land have been under attack ever since the first invaders came to our shores. We have been defending our lands and protecting our w...aters for generations. We have never stopped and we never will. Our laws demand that we uphold our sacred responsibilities, not only for ourselves, but the next seven generations. Our fight and love for our land and our people connect all Indigenous people. From coast to coast we are united. We must stand in solidarity and defend our relatives that are being attacked by these invaders. Invaders that intend on destroying our land and water for profit and impeding our right to be free people. As Indigenous grassroots people, on the frontlines, we call on you to join us in solidarity from Nov 23-29 as a national call to action to support and respect our sovereignty. We call on you to demand justice for our people, to hold the companies committing acts of genocide accountable through direct action and rallies where you are. We are one, we are united, and we will fight, together. #WeAreOne #LandBack #CoastToCoast #DefendTheLand #WildAndFree #BurnDownColonialism