Winter is bearing down on Unis'tot'en Camp, and the hosts are scrambling to prepare for the coming storms. The camp was on high alert in November after two incidents of attempted arson on bridges near the camp. This is a call for contributions for security equipment, and for volunteers to join the camp and watch out for bad guys.
Four years ago, grassroots members of the Wet'suwet'en people of northern BC (western Canada) found out about oil and gas pipeline projects that are planned to cross their territory without permission.
In response, land defenders set up a "soft blockade" to keep out the corporations. They evicted pipeline workers from the land and built a camp and permanent homes in the pipeline route.
The oil and gas representatives and police have made a couple forays into the territory, but so far they have avoided starting a full-scale confrontation.
Two arson incidents in October aroused suspicions that goon squads may be trying to provoke an incident.
Donations will supply the camp with security cameras, motion sensors, night-vision equipment, and an all-terrain snowmobile to patrol the territory and watch for invaders.
The success of the camp jeopardizes oil and gas deals supposedly worth billions of dollars (plus the untold costs of spills and leaks, poisoned water, lost habitat, and human suffering). We know there is a risk of dirty tricks and intimidation tactics to try and scare the campers away. The more support we have, the less likely those tactics will work.
The camp is 1000 km north of Vancouver, BC. Volunteers and donations are needed now. For more information about the camp, please visit http://wildcoast.ca/caravan. Join the Caravan to Unis'tot'en page on Facebook at http://facebook.com/nopipelines. To help with fundraising, please call Zoe at 250-813-3569.
UPDATE: Donations from Paypal accounts are working fine, however some cards are being rejected. If your card doesn't go through, please consider taking two minutes to create a Paypal account.
Supporters can also contribute by mail to VIC FAN c/o UBP Law, 816-1175 Douglas St, Victoria BC V8W 2E1.Those who prefer interac e-mail transfer can send donations to fhuson@gmail.com. (You MUST send your password in a separate email or the donation won't be completed.)
