We, a coalition of organizers from Tkaronto, have returned from Gidimt’en in Wet’suwet’en Territory after responding to an invitation from Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders. Coastal Gas Link, with government and RCMP support, have continued to build a pipeline through Wet’suwet’en Territory, demolishing ancient sites and threatening the sacred waters of the Wedzin Kwa—all without the consent of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs. As a coalition representing Community Peacemaker Teams, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty, Movement Defense Committee, SURJ-TO, and Independent Jewish Voices, we add our voices to their demand that CGL halts all construction of the pipeline and the RCMP gets off the Yintah.
The construction of the pipeline is part of the roadmap of colonialism carried out by both corporations and the Canadian government that seeks to violently displace Indigenous Peoples for settler industry and capital gains. While in Wet’suwet’en we witnessed the militarized occupation carried out against the Wet’suwe’ten People. Daily, the Community Industry Response Group (CIRG), a subset of the RCMP, would enter the site at 44km along the road—the private residence of Wet’suwet’en elders—harassing Land Defenders and their supporters and trespassing on Wet’suwe’ten land. In addition to CIRG, Land Defenders face 24-hour surveillance by Forsythe Security, the hired security of the pipeline.
Across so-called Canada, violent displacement and destruction for the profit and comfort of the rich is not new, but rather common practice. This summer in Toronto, in Allan Gardens and Clarence Square, Indigenous residents of encampments have faced surveillance by private security firms and harassment from Toronto Police Service. The harassment of encampment residents sends a clear message from the City: Toronto is for the rich, and those that challenge this notion will face violence and harassment at the hands of the state.
Our solidarity extends internationally to those who are resisting colonialism. From Palestine to Tamil Eelam where comrades are resisting foreign occupiers and fighting to stay on their land. To Colombia and Ecuador where local farmers are resisting mining companies – we express our solidarity.
As a coalition of organizers, we join the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders and demand an end to the CGL Pipeline and the state violence that accompanies it. We are committed to decolonization and Indigenous sovereignty in Tkaronto, across Turtle Island, and around the world.
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