Protestors demand closure of the 9B oil pipeline, owned by Enbridge
Posted October 19, 2023 3:23 pm.
Concerned citizens from across Quebec worried about the environmental destruction caused by the Enbridge 9B pipeline launched a campaign today.
Activist from the “Le vivant se defend” campaign — The Living Defends Itself campaign – warn the government of increased civil disobedience if nothing is done to shut the pipeline down.
“Enbridge 9B is a very old pipeline,” says Katherine Massam, one of the citizens protesting Thursday. “It’s nearly 50 years old. It runs through the village where I live, so I share my drinking water with that pipeline. It’s also a carbon bomb, so since it was opened in 1975, it has emitted so much carbon. It’s the equivalent of 300 Hiroshima bombs. So the government of Canada is promising to reduce greenhouse gases, but so far their action has been extremely limited.”
One-year ultimatum
The Living Defends Itself campaign to close pipeline 9b, is being launched exactly one year after activists blocked the Valero oil terminal in Montreal East for 24 hours.
They want the public to understand the issues concerning this pipeline, such as the threat to drinking water and its indisputable role in the worsening of the climate crisis. They also want to see an immediate reduction in the amount of oil circulating there and a clear plan for its complete closure.
“In view of the inaction of our governments,” says Massam, “some citizens have decided to take action into their own hands for protection of our children. And we’re issuing an ultimatum today to the government of Canada, to the Canadian Energy Regulator, and to say we want action.”
By this day, on October 19th, 2024, they say they want an announcement for a plan to close the pipeline. If that doesn’t happen, they say they will increase their non-violent civil disobedience.
“Nature defends itself,” said scientist and activist, Greg Mikkelson. “Life defends itself. Let us defend our water, our climate, ourselves and each other. Take out line 9.”
Citizens are invited to sign the ultimatum and join the Living Defends Itself campaign by consulting the Stop9b.org website
