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Protect the Planet Stop TMX

TMX: transmountain pipeline expansion  

the PPST MISSION

Who are we?

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) aims to expand the tarsands: threatening our very future on this planet - for humans and all life. Protect the Planet STOP TMX (PPST) is actually stopping the pipeline by working together using creative non-violent direct action.

PPST are your neighbours, concerned citizens: scientists, parents, shop owners & bike couriers, teachers & nurses, students & retired folk, settlers & Indigenous allies. 

PPST began on Aug. 3, 2020, when Land & Water Protectors deployed an aerial camp high in the trees in Burnaby, to prevent TMX from clearing trees scheduled to be cut between Aug.1-Sept.15, 2020 along the pipeline route. When that camp was taken down by security and police back in early December 2020, we quickly re-located to the NEW tree top camp shown in this photo. This new camp at Lost Creek has been continuously occupied for over 200 days, with our team of tree-sitters and supporters blocking TMX tree cutting and habitat destruction in the area. 

https://www.facebook.com/StopTMX 

(photo credit of tree-sit: Donna Clark)

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

*** WE ARE IN A FULL ON SIEGE- more sitters and defenders are in play, and we need your support!

Today was a stunning success. We blocked hours of work and forced the tank to park by 3:00 p.m., effectively holding off the attack on the Tree houses. Big love to those who stretched their comfort zones!

Tomorrow is another day and we need all the help we can get. TMX has its eye on the prize - our stronghold Tree houses - and, with the canopy increasingly cleared, the risk is huge. There are many ways to stop and delay work, only a fraction of which involve danger or risk or arrest.

We need boots on the ground from 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, September 24. Whether you are stoked for non-violent direct action, sign waving, amplifying or generally pitching in to do what needs to be done, your energy, talents and presence are like medicine. Anytime from 6:00 a.m.

WHAT: Rallying and support of the Lost Creek tree sit

WHEN: Fri. Sept. 24 from 6:00 a.m.

ACCESS: Easy access from Lower Hume Park. 660 E Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 3Y2. Ground crew present to help.

Follow us on Twitter @PPSTMX1  

FB-  facebook.com/STOPTMX

IG; TikTok; YouTube; "Stop TMX" 

DONATE HERE 

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE, Sept. 23. 2021

Two Arrested, TMX Tank Forced to Retreat

Unceded kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Territory (BURNABY, BC) - This morning, eight land defenders breached Trans Mountain (TMX) security fences. As of 12:00, two seniors had been arrested. Also, some daring canopy antics led to the 40 foot "tank" to be parked for the rest of the day. The tree protection camp has won another day.

This morning around 8am, eight individuals stepped past numerous security personnel at a contested TMX work site in Burnaby. Four members of the Prayer Circle Direct Action group, an affinity group of Protect the Planet Stop TMX (PPST), took up positions blocking the tank/ cherry picker used to cut trees and threaten the tree sits at Lost Creek. Yesterday, that tank dismantled two "skypod" aerial camps and arrested tree sitter, Bill Winder (69). Today, we can confirm 2 arrests, both seniors: Catherine Hembling and Maxine Kaufman-Lacusta.

Catherine Hembling, a Unitarian who was prepared for arrest, was removed by RCMP on a stretcher chair, as she refused to move from her place blocking the tank. She said, "As a person of conscience, I cannot allow thousands of trees to be cut down for such a short-sighted project. We are in a climate emergency and a mass extinction event. Along with our allies around the world, we call on our leaders to listen to science, follow their commitments and rise to the task imposed on humanity. Put a moratorium on all new fossil fuel infrastructure, as per the International Energy Agency. And put a moratorium on cutting down mature trees and intact forest."

Around 9am, three land defenders took perimeter positions inside the fence in order to secure the safety of the prayer circle. Trans Mountain security were caught on video roughing up one of those individuals. The senior, who prefers to remain anonymous, said, "I'm not a litigious person but I was barely inside the fencing this morning when one of TMX's heavies slammed me into the fencing. There is soft tissue damage on my elbow and it hurts a lot." Supporters are keeping a record of such misconduct, which includes unnecessary force, the use of zap straps, and hidden badge numbers.

At least 3 individuals remain in the tree top camp. Observing the arrests from above, in a video tree sitter Timothee Govare commented that "all the people on the ground, blocking this work on the ground are women, they are mothers, they understand the importance of protecting what matters. It's not about money. Our future is not for sale.... It's about the care. And now we need this care for the land." He appealed to men to overcome the masculine pressures of monetary standing and status in exchange of intrinsic values. "Stand strong and help to protect the land and our future".

Tree cutting continued after the arrests, with the tank getting closer to the platforms. To stop the cutting, lead tree sitter, Timothee, free climbed onto a neighbouring tree to spook the arborists. See video. That antic served its intention and the 40 foot "tank" was thus parked at Government Street. The tree protection camp has won another day.

More action is anticipated tomorrow morning. For images and videos, visit this link.


Watch our Twitter feed for breaking news: @PPSTMX1.

We would like to acknowledge we work and play on the unceded territory of many Nations who have been protectors and friends of the Salish Sea and its watersheds since time immemorial.  We are humbly grateful, especially to the host nations of ḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish),  Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, for allowing and welcoming us to be here and do this work in a good way on their traditional lands.

We commit to seeking out their leadership and being open to their teachings, and are honoured by the chances being offered to work alongside them as protectors of this sacred and beautiful space.  

We are a grassroots organization, and are always looking for new members 

PPST's Affinity Action Groups include: 

Tree-Sit Climbers, Tree-Sit Ground Support, Direct Action Prayer Circle, Surveillance & Community Monitoring, Nest Finding, Legal Challenges, Communications Campaigns, Collaborations and Partnerships, People's Assemblies, Tours & Community Outreach, and others.

Sign up now & "HELP STOP TMX"!

(photo credit of hummingbird: Diane Lake)

JOIN THE FIGHT! Help us to STOP TMX

Become part of the emergency response team:

Sign up here to receive a mobilization alert email when the Burnaby area front line needs your support. This is a low-traffic email list just for action alerts. We will keep your email address private! 

contact info 

general email:  ppstmx@protonmail.com 

FB : https://www.facebook.com/StopTMX 

Twitter: @PPSTMX1

For media contacts, please check under press releases

and don't forget to check out our YOUTUBE CHANNEL 

Want to learn more about the PIPELINE ROUTE?  How close does it come to YOUR home, work or school?   

This interactive map can let you see the impact TMX will have on your community, your safety and your future.