Comox Valley residents concerned about pipeline projects, expanding tar sands and climate change will meet Saturday in Simms Millennium Park.
The Comox Valley Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Community event will happen from 1 to 2 p.m. and will feature guest speakers, including writer and activist Betty Krawzyck. Comox Valley event spokesperson Megan Rose (Babb) adds attendees will make postcards to send to North Island MP John Duncan.
"Everyone is welcome," says Rose, noting organizers hope hundreds of people will show up to the Comox Valley event, and there will be similar events held across the country on the same day.
"It's a Canada-wide day of action for our climate and our communities, and the idea is to build a metaphorical wall of resistance against these proposed tar sands expansion and pipeline projects."
According to the Comox Valley event Facebook page, the day of action is designed to show governments that opposition to tar sand and pipeline expansion is growing, noting upcoming government decisions about energy projects "could push the world toward runaway climate change and permanently damage our communities."
B.C. and Alberta last week reached a framework agreement on the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline — which is proposed to send bitumen from Alberta to B.C.'s coast for export via tanker. Rose says the framework agreement highlights the need for a strong stance from the community, now.
"It's kind of almost divine that (the framework agreement) happened at that time because it shows the importance that, now more than ever, it's a time when we need to get out and make our voices heard that oppose these projects," says Rose.
For more information, visit Comox Valley-Defend Our Climate, Defend Our Community on Facebook or visit www.defendourclimate.ca.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com