Burnaby RCMP arrested three protesters after they zap-strapped themselves to the gate of Kinder Morgan’s facility on Burnaby Mountain Thursday.
It was the first demonstration that happened there after Kinder Morgan announced it was suspending all non-essential spending on the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, essentially putting a halt to the project.
Coverage of Kinder Morgan on Globalnews.ca:
Protesters were arrested on the same day that artists chained some work to the gate and joined with demonstrators who continue to express their opposition to the pipeline expansion.
“I feel that it’s really, really important to take responsibility for this beautiful place that we all have the privilege of living on, and to support the native leaders who are helping care for this place and care for the water, air and land and they have been since time immemorial,” said Pia Massie, an artist in residence at the department of culture and community at Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECUAD).
“Today we’re just trying to bring art and beauty and song to a tense situation.”
READ MORE: Kinder Morgan halts Trans Mountain pipeline expansion amid B.C. opposition
Protests are going to continue against the pipeline expansion until Kinder Morgan abandons it altogether, said Karen Mahon, campaign director with Stand.earth.
“Kinder Morgan made this announcement that they were suspending essential spending but in fact there is work continuing and people are committed to do whatever it takes to stop this pipeline,” she told Global News.
Burnaby RCMP have made almost 200 arrests in connection with anti-pipeline demonstrations since early March. Most have been arrested for breaching a court-ordered injunction that said protesters cannot block access to the facility.