International Week of Action to Defund Coastal GasLink

There will be a gathering in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en peoples this Wednesday, December 22, at 4:00 PM. at the Chase Bank, 3621 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50310.

Chase is one of the major institutions funding fossil fuel projects, including the Coastal GasLink pipeline being built on Wet’suwet’en lands. Pressuring financial institutions to divest funds from fossil fuel projects has been a tactic for many years. Gatherings like this can encourage the bank to consider divesting from fossil fuel projects. They can also provide a public way for individuals to divest their funds from these banks.

https://landbackfriends.com/2021/12/19/wetsuweten-solidarity-in-iowa/

Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chief Woos is taking the fight against Coastal GasLink abroad, calling on international shareholders to divest from the multibillion-dollar gas pipeline.

On Friday, Chief Woos spoke at an annual shareholder meeting of the National Australia Bank (NAB). Last year, NAB pumped $117 million into the company to help it build the pipeline as part of a $6.4-billion loan to Coastal GasLink backed by 27 banks.

“As shareholders of National Australia Bank, you should know that your company is not upholding its own commitments to respect Indigenous and human rights,” he said.

“How do you reconcile your company’s supposed commitments to (the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, or UNDRIP) while financing a project that is illegal and committing human rights violations and perpetuating the oppression of Indigenous people for the purpose of colonial extractivism?”

On Sunday, the Gidimt’en Checkpoint said it evicted Coastal GasLink workers from the drill site and had reoccupied Coyote Camp. Coyote Camp is where several land defenders and journalists were arrested a month ago during an RCMP raid.

Gidimt’en Checkpoint spokesperson Sleydo’ also spoke at the shareholder’s meeting, describing her recent arrest by the RCMP at gunpoint and being restricted from returning to her territory. The project is contributing to the genocide of her people, she told the shareholders, and asked if the NAB was willing to take accountability for that.

Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief takes fight against Coastal GasLink all the way to the banks
By John Woodside, National Observer, December 20th 2021

Banks and private equity companies are pouring billions on a massive fracked gas pipeline to cross Wet’suwet’en territory: Coastal GasLink. 

Indigenous Hereditary chiefs and supporters have responsibilities to defend the sacred, pristine headwaters of the Wedzin Kwa, in Wet’suwet’en law. They hold uninterrupted title to the land, in colonial law. For peacefully acting in accordance with the law and defending our shared future, land defenders, allies and journalists were removed at gunpoint. 

Banks and investors bankroll the violence it will take to complete and operate Coastal GasLink. It’s time to tell them that no investment is worth damaging the lands and waters of Wet’suwet’en Yintah and the climate all of us share.

Twitter

Follow:  @gidimten, @likhtsamisyu,

Twitter: Week of Action 

• .@RBC is funding climate destruction and Indigenous rights violations by bankrolling Coastal GasLink.
• .@kkr_co is refusing to meet with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs while funding Coastal GasLink on their territory.
• If we stop the flow of money, we can stop the flow of fracked gas. Let’s organize on the week of December 20 to support frontline Indigenous leaders about the impacts of Coastal GasLink @RBC, @KKR_Co, and @chase needs to drop ➡️ https://bit.ly/Dec20toolkit 
• Join us the week of December 20 to call on @RBC, @Chase, @kkr_co, and other global finance giants to drop toxic fossil fuels including Coastal GasLink. Learn more and register your action

Hashtags: #DefundCoastalGasLink #DivestCGL, #WetsuwetenStrong #AllOutForWedzinKwa

Yesterday the Gidimt’en Checkpoint said it evicted Coastal GasLink workers from the drill site and had reoccupied Coyote Camp.

Gidimt’en Checkpoint

12/19/2021  · BREAKING –
Gidimt’en Clan Evicts Coastal Gaslink from Drill Site; Re-Occupies Coyote Camp

Early Sunday, Gidimt’en land defenders evicted Coastal Gaslink workers and re-established control of Coyote Camp, the site where Coastal Gaslink plans to drill beneath Wet’suwet’en headwaters.
This courageous action took place one month after a wave of militarized raids on Gidimt’en land, where police with assault weapons, dogs, and sniper rifles arrested 30 people, including land defenders, journalists, and legal observers.
Wet’suwet’en people have never surrendered this land, and we never will. Our lands are not for sale, and the safety of our waters is non-negotiable.
In early 2020, Hereditary Chiefs from all five clans of our nation stood together and issued an eviction to CGL. That eviction remains in force today.
We are calling for supporters to join us on the ground, or take action where you stand.
Take Action:
Host a solidarity rally or action in your area.
Issue a solidarity statement from your organization or group. Email to: yintahaccess@gmail.com
Pressure the government, banks, and investors. http://yintahaccess.com/take-action-1
Donate. http://go.rallyup.com/wetsuwetenstrong
Come to Camp. yintahaccess.com/
Spread the word.
#ShutDownCanada
#AllOutForWedzinKwa
#WetsuwetenStrong
#ExpectUs
More information and developing stories:
Website: Yintahaccess.com
IG: @yintah_access
Twitter: @Gidimten
Facebook: @wetsuwetenstrong
Youtube: Gidimten Access Point
TikTok: GidimtenCheckpoint