The Facts
Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion
(BROKE) is a grassroots community group located in Burnaby, British Columbia, on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. It was started in 2012 by a group
of local residents impacted by an oil spill from the nearby TransMountain
Pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan. Kinder Morgan has a project to triple
the volume of oil shipped through our neighbourhood, and BROKE is being sued for
interfering with work in a local conservation area:
- The project
is opposed by the City of Burnaby and 70% of local residents.
- BROKE is a peaceful
community group who organized picnics in the work area.
- Kinder Morgan is claiming
$5.6 million in damages against individuals named in the suit.
We need help to win in court and continue supporting our community against big
oil. Maneuvering 400 supertankers a year through the narrows of beautiful
Burrard Inlet will bring spills that foul the shores of Burnaby, Vancouver, and
several other municipalities.
The Help We Need
Fighting legal battles against a huge corporation is time consuming and expensive:
- We must pay $20,000 for legal fees already incurred fighting an injunction and civil suit (against us).
- We may face additional legal fees in the next months.
- 100% of the funds raised will go to court battles against TransMountain Pipeline.
BROKE’s
small group of members may face charges if Kinder Morgan wins, while
our homes, schools, and parks will face increased danger from pipeline spills
like the one we had in 2007. We're standing up for our public lands, for
the rights of First Nations who have not been properly consulted, and for the rights
of our local government to decide what happens in our public parks.
- Our members have legitimate
concerns about local impacts and stopping global climate change.
- Your support will help BROKE
continue its opposition to the proposed Kinder Morgan Pipeline Expansion
Project.
- This suit is also about
civil liberties and free expression.
Kinder-Morgan has launched this SLAPP suit (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) in an attempt to curtail genuine and legitimate participation by ordinary people. It is anti-democratic and we must not let people be silenced by threats of lawsuits for peaceful political activities.
Other Ways You Can Help
Some folks don't have the funds to donate. We understand! You can still help us by:
Every little thing helps!
