A loose-knit group of concerned Sooke residents plan what they describe as a “peaceful rally” in support and in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’un First Nations who have said “no” to pipeline developments in their territories.
The First Nation set up the Unist’ot’en Camp years ago to manage entry into the Wet’suwet’un lands.
The site has become a focal point for a debate over a natural gas pipeline in Wet’suwet’en territory.
Protesters across Canada have come out in support of people from the northern B.C. First Nation who have been preventing that natural gas pipeline company from accessing their traditional territory.
The Coastal GasLink pipeline is meant to transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to the coast, where a liquefied natural gas project is scheduled for construction.
TransCanada has said it signed agreements with all First Nations along the proposed pipeline route to the $40 billion LNG Canada facility being built in Kitimat, B.C., but some hereditary chiefs say those agreements doesn’t apply to the traditional territories.
Protests in support of the Wet’suwet’un have erupted across Canada and with a recent protest in Langford closing off access to the RCMP detachment there.
The Sooke rally is scheduled for the Sooke Town Centre Kiosk, 6660 Sooke Rd. on Monday, Jan.21 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.