As of this evening, 53 people have been arrested in a sustained act of resistance against Kinder Morgan’s drilling on Burnaby Mountain.

The protest camp against the Texas-based oil company has been ongoing since September 3rd. Burnaby Mountain is located on unceded Indigenous lands, which, based on our current knowledge, includes the territories of the Musqueam, Skxwú7mesh, Stó:lo, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

On November 20th, Indigenous protectors and their settler allies were displaced by the Burnaby RCMP. The police force is not accountable to the City of Burnaby and there is no transparent or democratic process in the Burnaby RCMP’s decision-making.

Kinder Morgan has sued the community group, Burnaby Residents Opposed to Kinder Morgan Expansion (BROKE), for damages of $5.4 million because they spoke out. The oil company is using legal suits to bully and silence critics.

The company intends to expand its Trans Mountain pipeline, transporting crude oil and refined products from Edmonton to Burnaby. This would triple carrying capacity, bringing 890,000 barrels every day.

Despite the arrests, police intimidation, and legal threats, countless people continue to remain steadfast on the mountain. In their resistance to the continuation of colonial expansion into unceded indigenous lands and their opposition to a system which ignores ecological consequences, these communities are showing that another way is possible. In solidarity with these land defenders, we urge everyone to find out how they can support efforts to resist the pipeline.

Visit these sites to find ways to support, be involved, and receive updates:

Burnaby Mountain Updates facebook page

Fundraiser for the Burnaby Mountain Caretakers/BROKE

BROKE Against Big Oil Indiegogo campaign

Burnaby Pipeline Watch website

 Below are pictures from today, taken by The Mainlander photographer Mauricio Rivera.