Protesting Grandpa Climbs Tree, Again, to Stop Trans Mountain Pipeline

submitted to Earth First! Newswire



Monday, April 29, 2019

Unceded Coast Salish Territory (Burnaby, BC) — Early this morning, Terry Christenson, a 71-year-old grandfather of two and former Juno nominee, scaled a tree inside the Westridge Marine Terminal that has an eagle deterrent on it and erected a mid-air camp to protest the Trans Mountain Pipeline. This is the second time Christenson has protested the pipeline.

“I’m doing this for all of the grandchildren of the world. Climate change is an issue that will impact my grandchildren much more than it will impact me,” said Christenson. “Canada is already on the path to clean energy and we must continue to diversify our economy — not build more dirty pipelines. I’m here today to ensure Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hears this message loud and clear.”

Christenson, dubbed the “protesting grandpa,” was arrested for a similar protest in March 2018 in Burnaby, which came one week after a massive march against the pipeline that brought thousands of people to the streets of Burnaby. Christenson’s 2018 protest was part of a week of action organized by Protect the Inlet to slow pipeline construction ahead of a tree clearing deadline. Police removed Christenson from the tree after more than 16 hours.

Trans Mountain places eagle deterrents in trees on several of its properties in order to prevent eagles from nesting in trees where they have in the past, which could potentially interfere with any planned tree clearing activities if pipeline construction resumes.

“Orcas were spotted swimming through Burrard Inlet just last week — showing exactly what we are trying to protect in our opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline. We stand up for those that can’t speak, but they are communicating with us,” said Will George, a member of Tsleil-Waututh Nation and guardian of Kwekwecnewtxw, the Watch House, and Protect the Inlet. “I support anyone who wants to take action against the pipeline. We will continue to do whatever it takes to protect our families — and your families — from the threats this project poses to our waters, our lands, and our health.”

This time around, Christenson said he is again committed to staying in the tree for as long as possible.

“I care deeply about this land, the coast, the water, and all the animals and people who could be impacted by a devastating oil spill,” said Christenson. “The Trans Mountain Pipeline doesn’t have the consent of many of the First Nations it passes through. Thousands of people, including myself, aren’t going to stand by and let it get built.”

More than 27,000 people have pledged to do “whatever it takes” to stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline. From March through August 2018, around 230 people with Protect the Inlet and other environmental groups were arrested for violating an injunction demonstrating against the pipeline, with more than 30 serving jail time after receiving sentences in BC Supreme Court. Trans Mountain suspended construction on the pipeline in August 2018 after the Federal Court of Appeal overturned its approval of the project.