Saturday afternoon a crowd of approximately 80 people staged a rally on Baker Street against the proposed Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

The protest, held at the same time of a rally in Burnaby, was in support First Nations Coast Protectors' call for the conservation of the pristine lands along the pipeline route and the West Coast.

The Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which runs between Edmonton and Burnaby, received federal approval for an expansion in November 2016.

“This is just the beginning of something big,” said organizer Sandra Hartline prior to the rally.

“We have rallied before against Kinder Morgan and we are joining with thousands in Burnaby and across BC. Here in the southern interior we are working with the For Our Earth coalition to make an end to this disastrous project and to stand with First Nations in their struggle.”

The march, organized by Nelson Chapter of the Council of Canadians, began at Ward and Baker Street before protesters paraded down Baker Street and back, ending up at the amenity area in front of the CIBC at 400 Baker Street.

Speakers addressed the crowd marking the beginning of a big movement in Nelson and across BC to join together to Stop Kinder Morgan.

Nelson Police Department officers were present to monitor the peaceful event.

An estimated 5,000 protesters participated in the anti-pipeline protest in Burnaby while 200 participated in the pro-pipeline event in Vancouver.