Hey! Ho! Kinder Morgan’s got to GO!
I was part of a protest about 2 weeks ago. It was called “Stop Kinder Morgan To Stop DAPL – IntersAction!” We flooded an intersection, Broadway and Commercial Dr, on all sides with people crossing raising banners and signs whilst chanting to spread awareness without stopping the flow of traffic.
After the protest, I was sitting on the 4 bus back to UBC feeling empowered and determined, my “I STAND WITH STANDING ROCK” sign sitting face up on my lap. I had about 15 people ask me what the sign meant. Most of them hadn’t heard of Standing Rock and if they had heard of it, they weren’t familiar with the dynamics of the conversation.
“Oh, that’s that thing I’ve seen on Facebook! That pipeline thing!”
Here are some important facts to know when engaging with this conversation!
What is Kinder Morgan?
Kinder Morgan is the largest energy infrastructure in America. They own about 84 000 miles / 135184.9 km of pipeline.
What is DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline)?
The DAPL is a pipeline that will carry crude oil from Illinois to North Dakota (passing through Iowa and South Dakota) a total of 1172 miles / 1886.151 km. A portion of this proposed pipeline route passes through land that is sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for burial grounds and prayer sites.
What are the protests about?
It will destroy land that is sacred to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. If there is no consent, there should be no pipeline. The environmental impact of the pipeline is also a major concern as the Sioux Tribe uses the water supply from the Missouri River. The pipeline is proposed to run underneath the Missouri River.
What happens if there’s a leak?
That is the very basic layout of the conversation. On top of this tension between the indigenous peoples, environmentalist energy infrastructures, there is also tension between agents involved with protests at Standing Rock.
“You can live without money. You can live without oil. But you can’t live without water.” – Standing Rock Youth
These are water protestors, environmentalists, members of the indigenous communities, etc. who are all engaging in peaceful, non-violent protest. The county police still however continue efforts to increase the response to the peaceful protestors by militarizing and using pepper spray, strip searches, dog attacks, and other violations to civil rights. The county police have arrested hundreds and have called in police forces from six other states as well.
ACTION YOU CAN TAKE LOCALLY!
There is a Stop Kinder Morgan Stop DAPL protest at the Vancouver City Hall on November 19th 2016. This event takes place on the traditional, unceded, occupied territories of the səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Climate leaders don’t build pipelines! Let our governments know that we want our lands to be pipeline free! No consent, no pipeline! Let’s stand in solidarity indigenous water protectors at Standing Rock as they continue the struggle to stop the DAPL!