[All] Ottawa protest summery

Tue Sep 27 22:35:34 EDT 2011

Hi everyone

Don and I went to Ottawa to protest the Tar Sands and keystone pipeline. Over 200 people jumped the fence at the protest. Over 100 people were charged with trespassing and fined for $65 and told not to return to Parliament Hill for year but the rest of us were simply released. I was part of the second half meaning no fine, no conditions. Just released by way of police escort off the grounds around 6 pm. We sat on the lawn on the other side of the fence for hours waiting to be processed. I got a pretty good sunburn out of it but people were kind and fed us over the fence providing us with free pizza, water, fresh fruits and snacks. There were people visiting us to show support all through the day with the occasional politicians showing support by waving to us from beyond the 8 foot fence line between us and the parliament building. Elizabeth May was there. We saw folks from the NDP and others.  The police on site were as kind and respectful of us
 as we were with them. By the end of the day we all thanked each other and wished each other well. 

The Union of Tar Sands Energy workers joined our protest because they are against the Keystone. They state their union supports the rights of the First Nations and they support the need to address the serious ecological concerns but the pipeline to the south threatens to bypass all of these concerns. They say ethical oil is nothing more than snake oil. We need to have government address the needs and wants of the people not just the corporations. Right now corporations are setting all the rules at the federal level and we must unite to make people first once again. This same call was echoed by numerous guest speakers. 

I was quoted in a news story that went international. The sad part was they did a typing error in my name. They called me Louisette Lante from Waterloo. Either way the message got out and for that I am happy. Here's the article: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/09/ottawa-action-live.php

Don made it into the photos at the Council of Canadian's flickr page. I think he was one of the ones who got ticketed.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/councilofcanadians/6186328917/in/datetaken/

The day before the arrest, we were trained from 1pm until 10pm. Here is what happened with that.

We met the elders of the Dene nation and the Beaver Lake Cree who were being adversely impacted by the polluting of the Athabasca as a result of the tar sands. Years ago they would go fishing and bring an empty coffee cup. When they were thirsty they would simply dip it in the waters and drink but now the waters are brown and smell of fuel. The children get skin irritations when they swim with eczema like rashes. The fish have tumors, the elders are afraid to eat the elk and deer for fear of contamination and the muskrats have all gone. The Muskrats played a part in their traditional diets but they have all died off as a result of the water born contamination. They can't find any of them along the river anymore. A federal study has been initiated but everyone says it's too late now. There's no more muskrats to study. 

Children have died of the cancers that now plague the community. Rare cancers such as bile cancers have multiple incidents. People are struggling to replace their drinking water and they are afraid of the toxicity of their food supply. Dene communities to the north who also share in the Athabasca as their water supply fear for their communities as well. They spoke of the defamatory comments made about the area's doctor who sounded the alarm and the struggle they've had to be heard. 

The BC first nations are refusing to allow Enbridge to place a pipeline to the coast from Alberta out of respect for the struggles facing the Dene people and out of great fear for their own water, forests and ecosystems. They have been offered billions to give their consent for the pipeline and each time they respond saying we won't take a single penny. They shared the photos and videos of their past events and how civil disobedience was key to social changes in regards to numerous issues from labour rights to abolishing segregation.

We participated in workshops on how to de-escalate over zelous critics via listening skills and emphathy. We learned how to effectively use media and how to redirect questions to make sure our messages are heard.  We learned how to conduct ourselves during the arrest process, how to respond, now not to respond in order to maintain peaceful and respectful protocols. We spoke of our legal rights and what we should and should not do in order to prepare for the day of action. ie: if you go to jail you can only wear 1 layer of clothing so give up your t-shirt and wear your jacket because it's cold in jails. We were informed about bail processes, given contact info for our solicitor etc.

We met people from all provinces, all ages. Many youth wanted to participate but had to be turned away. The rest of us varied in ages from 19 and up. We had university students, doctors, retired citizens, housewives, forestry workers, engineers, citizens from all economic and social backgrounds. Some couldn't afford their own bail and others donated to helped them foot the bill. If it bail was not needed we simply got our money back.  During each session you could hear a pin drop. The group was very focused, respectful, friendly and overall, they were a lot of fun to work with. We were united by a sense of social responsibility. Each of us had different reasons as to why we were doing this but we stood united in this single cause. It was supportive and felt amazing. Like a little fish in a big school of like minded individuals. It felt strong and good. United we stand sort of feeling. Makes me want to arrange a similar demo for KW minus the need for
 arrest. I think a march or rally would suffice to tell our local MP's what we want. It doesn't take as much effort to make the press around these parts but honestly, it's time for a stop the keystone rally don't you think?  I might work on that. 

That's it for now.  Have a good one everybody!

Lulu :0)
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