A fundraiser on Saturday, June 9 will help raise funds for Salt Spring residents who were arrested for protesting the expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline in March.
The “Salt Spring Nine” are Brenda Guiled, Briony Penn, Jan Slakov, Jean Wilkinson, Marcelle Roy, Myna Lee Johnstone, Murray Reiss, Ron Ada and Tom Mitchell.
“These courageous people acted for many reasons: for the health of the land, the rivers, the lakes and the Salish Sea which will be endangered by a spill,” said event co-organizer Judi Stevenson. “They did it to support the Indigenous people whose traditional territories are at risk and have not given consent for the project and for the children of today and tomorrow who will suffer the ravages of unchecked climate change.”
The non-partisan event at Fulford Hall will raise funds for the individuals’ legal expenses.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a program of music and words to follow. Those who come are asked to bring a dessert or cookies to share.
The program includes a welcome message and WSANEC perspective from councillor Mavis Underwood and her granddaughter Grace, comments from MP Elizabeth May (herself an arrestee) and many of the Salt Spring Nine, poetry by Murray Reiss, a message from Rueben George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and music from Phil Vernon and friends, Bill Henderson, Luke Wallace and Bob Bossin.
Special guest Romilly Cavanaugh will speak about her experiences as an environmental engineer formerly employed by Kinder Morgan.
“She hoped to use her expertise to help the company reach higher standards of environmental care and respect. When that proved an impossible dream, she turned to protest and was arrested on Burnaby Mountain,” said Stevenson.
She said everyone is welcome “to join the gathering on Saturday night to stand up for the Salt Spring Nine. Let’s support them generously in their legal battles.”
More information is available at StandUpSaltspring.wordpress.com.