BREAKING: Teck Frontier Mine cancelled and police move in on Mohawk land defenders
- Details
- Published on Monday, 24 February 2020 06:00
- Written by editor
Friends,
I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that last night, Teck Resources Ltd. pulled its application to build the Frontier mine -- the largest tar sands mine ever proposed.1 This is a huge win and it means that millions of tonnes of carbon will be left in the ground and that Canada has a chance to turn the corner on climate.
This never would have happened without people-powered action led by our friends at Indigenous Climate Action. We are so grateful to the countless people like you who took action to stop this project. In the letter announcing its decision, Teck made it clear that it was only walking away from the project because public opinion in Canada is shifting against massive fossil fuel projects.2 This is thanks to the relentless organizing of Indigenous peoples, youth and thousands of others across the country. And, this is our chance to get Canada moving on a Green New Deal.
Here’s the bad news. As I’m writing this, Ontario police are arresting Mohawk land defenders at the Tyendinaga rail blockade that went up nearly three weeks ago in solidarity... with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.3 Watching this criminalization of peaceful land defenders, it’s clear that the government isn’t serious about reconciliation and climate action.
But, there is something you can do right now. Late last week, we learned that our federal government was considering handing a multi-million dollar, public loan to the Coastal GasLink project. They could make a decision as early as Wednesday.4
The Teck decision is a huge win. And, it makes it crystal clear that organized people can beat organized money. That’s why, when we see the government, the police, and the fossil fuel companies working together to steamroll Indigenous sovereignty and endanger our climate – like they are trying to in Wet’suwet’en lands, and now in Tyendinaga – we need to stand together. Tell Justin Trudeau and those responsible for the Coastal GasLink loan that we’re united behind Indigenous land defenders.
In respect and peace,
Clayton
PS - When Indigenous land defenders are under attack, we must stand up and fight back. Hundreds of Indigenous youth and allies are currently holding the intersection outside of the Canadian Parliament in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en nation, calling on Justin Trudeau to meet the demands of the hereditary chiefs. It’s critical for as many people as possible to stand in solidarity with land defenders from Wet’suwet’en to Tyendinaga. Donate to the Wet’suwet’en Legal fund here, learn more about how to support and organize a solidarity action here. Read 350.org’s full solidarity statement with land defenders here.
References:
- CBC: Teck withdraws application for $20B Frontier oilsands mine
- Teck Resources: Teck Withdraws Regulatory Application for Frontier Project
- Real Peoples Media: Large contingent of OPP at Tyendinaga Rail Stoppage
- Toronto Star: ‘Highly inappropriate’: Hereditary chief slams Crown corporation for considering giving loan to Coastal GasLink amidst Wet’suwet’en protests
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