Camp on the Fraser Continues, Supporters Welcome

[Eastside Revolt]

Responding to a call to action by Stop the Pave (http://stopthepave.org/) and numerous endorsing organizations, well over a hundred people of all ages from around the lower mainland rallied in Delta on Friday and set up an ongoing camp in the middle of a South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) worksite.

"As a mom, I think it's important to say that we're taking this history and teaching it to our kids, to take that forward," explained Surrey resident, mother, and organizer PJ Lilley, speaking of a return to grassroots 'Mother Earth Day' action.

Those present from surrounding neighbourhoods and Nations highlighted numerous issues and impacts related to the proposed freeway, including ecological destruction, the effects of increased emissions on children's health and the climate, forced expropriations of homes, and the threat of further desecration to sacred areas protecting thousands of years of local Indigenous history.

"We cannot make mistakes today that will so damage Mother Earth tomorrow," Bertha Williams, a grandmother and longtime grassroots Tsawwassen Nation activist, stated emphatically before the rally marched down River Road to set up. "The devastation will be irreparable and irreplaceable."

A few hundred metres in either direction of the colourful barricades, the immediate impacts of the preliminary preparatory work for the SFPR are visible. Clearcutting is encroaching on areas down below where streams flow into the Fraser river, as well as on childrens' playgrounds in neighbourhood yards up above. Stacks of logged trees dot sections of the planned roadway.

"We're saddened by the losses we've already sustained," Lilley explained to the gathering in Delta. "We're here to say enough!"

VMC coverage:
Day 1: Putting the Barricades Back in Earth Day (http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/putting-barricades-back-earth-day/7034), by Dawn Paley & photos by Murray Bush.
Day 2: Camp on the Fraser Continues, Supporters Welcome (http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/camp-fraser-continues-supporters-welcome/7039), by the

Vancouver Media Co-op. (http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/where-fraser-river-flows-snapshots-along-blockaded-freeway-route/7040)

The entrance to the camp is located (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&q=10739,+River+Road,+Delta,+bc&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=10739+River+Rd,+Delta,+British+Columbia+V4C+ 2R8,+Canada&z=16) between 10749 and 10739 River Road, Delta.

[Eastside Revolt]

The longer we stay, the longer the bulldozers can be stopped, and an education campaign about the real impacts of this project can grow in the surrounding neighborhoods.


Come for a visit, stay for a short time, or camp for a while. Bring food or supply contributions if you like, but most importantly, just come.

The site is easy to reach. The main entrance is on River Road, Delta, just west of Brooke Road (10675 River Rd), - look for the signs and banners. Drive, bike from SkyTrain, or catch the #640 bus from Scott Rd SkyTrain station (or if westbound, from Ladner Exchange). Our Info Line is 604.355.2771, or call 604.588.4203.


We thank you for all your support, and hope to see you in camp soon!

[Eastside Revolt]

http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/newsrelease/7187

For the past two weeks, the South Fraser Protection Camp has impeded the destruction of an important, historic area of North Delta. Along the steep banks of the Fraser River, many people stood together to protect historic archaeological sites, the health of local residents and school children and to oppose the climate crime that is the South Fraser Perimeter Road.

However, those who profit from destroying this hillside have made it clear to us that they are willing to use their money, police and courts to clear our peaceful encampment by force.

Faced with an injunction, we decided to retrench the South Fraser Protection Camp. We sincerely thank all involved in making this camp a success, especially the many local residents and our friends and allies from all the affected communities along the proposed freeway alignment, for their generosity and spirit, for the food and coffee, and the conversations, which will continue. We greatly appreciated the honks of support, and the kind words of solidarity which poured in from across the country and abroad.

While there is plenty of evidence that the province is cutting corners on environmental protection, and breaking their own laws in the mad rush to build this freeway, we recognize that our greatest strength is in the streets and on the ground, rather than in the courts. We want you to know that we do this today so that we can continue the fight. We do not want our people tied up in costly legal battles; our movement must continue to confront the bulldozers, corporate head offices, and their bought politicians.

The camp has played an important role in building alliances amongst people from many different backgrounds, sharing resources and educating ourselves and our communities about the many impacts of the SFPR, and the Gateway project as a whole. Because of this camp, today we stand stronger, more united, and more determined than ever to gain ground in this struggle.

We are calling on all those who oppose this blatant climate crime and the
clear-cutting and paving over of: Native burial grounds, Burns Bog, the mouths of many of the remaining salmon bearing streams in Delta and Surrey, the neighbourhoods and farms along the proposed freeway; and the resulting pollution and threats to our health, from children to our elders... Opposition is rising, the movement is growing. This freeway can still be stopped.

We are now gathering to plan our next steps to take this fight forward, and we invite you to contact us if you wish to be involved in our mobilizations: [email protected] (http://stopthepave.org/simplenews/statistics/click?p=eNoBTVwwsv9zOjY5OlwiC55pGBsrKRL4qUU04I1xUE B9EYFKto1cXMFipqnLmxbPYcxo_24NWInorCzCWcKDXFxiDT33 UaFHM9O0iP7l908yVc697i5cIjvqoiOf&h=eNortjI2slIySjQ2SzVItUgzsDA0NjRINTRKNDc2NEyyNDUy TE41N1eyBlwwzlEJ6w,,) / www.stopthepave.org (http://stopthepave.org/simplenews/statistics/click?p=eNoBTVwwsv9zOjY5OlwiC55pGBsrKRL4qUU04I1xUE B9EYFKto1cXMFipqnLmxbPYcxo_24NWInorCnXRN7NHHcTJOYQ kkAozLCU8_DmWCEej6D7ZlwiO-LPXCLr&h=eNortjI2slIyNTQxMEw1s0hKS7OwMDNPNkpMMza1SDS2NDJL MjGxMFSyBlww0PQKCQ,,)

We also also will be holding a public meeting for people to learn more about history of this area under threat, and offer your concerns and ideas on strategy: Thursday, May 19, 6pm at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 12666 72 Ave, Surrey (Conference Centre, Room G1205).

[Eastside Revolt]

SECOND LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST SOUTH FRASER PERIMETER ROAD
Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Vancouver, B.C.:


A second court case has been launched against the construction of the $1.2 billion South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR). Bertha Williams of the Tsawwassen Band, Coast Salish Nation and William Burnstick, of the Cree Sioux First nations, are suing the B.C. Government to stop construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road through sacred burial sites and B.C.’s oldest and most important archaeological site find to date.


We are meeting today, thursday May 26th, 2011 at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC
campus, 6393 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C. at 2:30 pm to talk with people and the Media.


Last November, the Burns Bog Conservation Society filed a legal claim against the Government of Canada stating the South Fraser Perimeter Road Project contravenes Federal legislation and fails to uphold the Conservation Covenant on Burns Bog. Both legal actions point to the failure of the governments of Canada and British Columbia to adhere too laws which protect key archaeological sites and critical habitats. Environmental groups strongly support these actions.


The Provincial government is forging ahead with the SFPR Project choosing to ignore the South Fraser Perimeter Road Archaeology Impact Assessment, Technical Volume 14 of the Environmental Assessment Application which was prepared for Ministry of Transportation; which states that almost 30% of the road’s alignment runs through land rated as high archaeological potential.
Bertha Williams and William Burnstick claim the findings of the Archaeological Study indicate the road will cause irreparable damage to sacred grounds including undisturbed deposits dating from 9,000 years ago.
At least six sites along the planned route of the road have been identified as having significant scientific merit, the Glenrose Cannery is among the most important sites in B.C. due to its age and unique specimens of ancient bone and antler tools. The neighbouring St. Mungo site contains human burials and also shows evidence of three distinct cultural periods.


The Plaintiffs claim that the B.C. Government is acting in a high-handed manner which violates our cultural heritage. It is a shared heritage of all Canadians and should be treasured and protected.


The filed Statement of Claim asserts that the failure of the B.C. Government to adhere too the Archaeological Assessment of the South Fraser Perimeter Road will cause sacred sites to be forever altered.


For further information, telephone 604 566 1900.