Protesters' Blockade Halts Work on Enbridge Pipeline
“We hope to stay here indefinitely,” says activist.
A group of around 25 protesters blockaded and successfully halted construction work at an Enbridge construction site at the pipeline known as Line 9 in southwest Ontario on Tuesday morning.
"We hope to stay here indefinitely," protester Rachel Avery told CTV News.
The activists say the Line 9 poses a danger to people, animals, land, and water. Tuesday's action was specifically aimed at preventing the installation of a new valve.
Activists say such direct action is necessary because attempts at formally raising their concerns have been ignored.
"We've tried pursuing avenues with the National Energy Board and within local and regional governments," said blockader Rachel Avery. "The concerns expressed by individual people and municipalities were ignored. The official processes have merely rubber-stamped dangerous tar sands projects and failed to protect us, so we are here out of necessity. This project is also being illegally forced through without meaningful consultation of Indigenous communities. For example, the Chippewas of the Thames have appealed the NEB approval, but Enbridge has continued to work on the line regardless," Avery continued.
The Thames Watershed is the drinking water source for over half a million people, and numerous rare species. The construction site is situated in active farmland less than a kilometer from the river.
The protesters are asking for support either by joining the action or bringing supplies to those already there.
In July a similar group of protesters blockaded a different section of Line 9 between Cambridge and Brantford.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
A group of around 25 protesters blockaded and successfully halted construction work at an Enbridge construction site at the pipeline known as Line 9 in southwest Ontario on Tuesday morning.
"We hope to stay here indefinitely," protester Rachel Avery told CTV News.
The activists say the Line 9 poses a danger to people, animals, land, and water. Tuesday's action was specifically aimed at preventing the installation of a new valve.
Activists say such direct action is necessary because attempts at formally raising their concerns have been ignored.
"We've tried pursuing avenues with the National Energy Board and within local and regional governments," said blockader Rachel Avery. "The concerns expressed by individual people and municipalities were ignored. The official processes have merely rubber-stamped dangerous tar sands projects and failed to protect us, so we are here out of necessity. This project is also being illegally forced through without meaningful consultation of Indigenous communities. For example, the Chippewas of the Thames have appealed the NEB approval, but Enbridge has continued to work on the line regardless," Avery continued.
The Thames Watershed is the drinking water source for over half a million people, and numerous rare species. The construction site is situated in active farmland less than a kilometer from the river.
The protesters are asking for support either by joining the action or bringing supplies to those already there.
In July a similar group of protesters blockaded a different section of Line 9 between Cambridge and Brantford.
A group of around 25 protesters blockaded and successfully halted construction work at an Enbridge construction site at the pipeline known as Line 9 in southwest Ontario on Tuesday morning.
"We hope to stay here indefinitely," protester Rachel Avery told CTV News.
The activists say the Line 9 poses a danger to people, animals, land, and water. Tuesday's action was specifically aimed at preventing the installation of a new valve.
Activists say such direct action is necessary because attempts at formally raising their concerns have been ignored.
"We've tried pursuing avenues with the National Energy Board and within local and regional governments," said blockader Rachel Avery. "The concerns expressed by individual people and municipalities were ignored. The official processes have merely rubber-stamped dangerous tar sands projects and failed to protect us, so we are here out of necessity. This project is also being illegally forced through without meaningful consultation of Indigenous communities. For example, the Chippewas of the Thames have appealed the NEB approval, but Enbridge has continued to work on the line regardless," Avery continued.
The Thames Watershed is the drinking water source for over half a million people, and numerous rare species. The construction site is situated in active farmland less than a kilometer from the river.
The protesters are asking for support either by joining the action or bringing supplies to those already there.
In July a similar group of protesters blockaded a different section of Line 9 between Cambridge and Brantford.