Nelson is going on the Lake to join in cross-Canada We>Tar Sands action
By Contributor
Climate and pipeline activists in Nelson are getting ready to join in the national We>Tar Sands action coming up Saturday (July 4th.)
In Nelson we are planning a special flotilla, and on the lake rally with self-powered ‘kayakavism’.
Everyone is invited to join us on the water at Lakeside Park at Noon to rally together to say Canada needs a clean energy future!
“Our flotilla will paddle down the Kootenay West Arm to show our message: Canada needs jobs, justice AND protection of our environment,” says organizer Keith Wiley.
“We have an active community working to stop pipelines and move to clean energy here in the Kootenays. This is our way of joining in the national day of action put across the country by 350.org.”
“By taking real climate action, we can create a clean energy economy that is more fair and equal and offers hundreds of thousands of good new jobs,” says Montana Burgess, Community Organizer with the West Kootenay EcoSociety.
“We’ve already seen lay-offs this year in the tar sands due to falling oil prices, let’s get these workers trained to be building renewable energy equipment and installations.”
“We wanted our community to be able to come out and play in the water under, hopefully, sunny skies and interact with these forces, from which renewable energy comes,” says Montana.
“Let’s transition to 100% renewable energy for the West Kootenays.”
Everyone who wants to join in with any type of people-powered watercraft, paddle board, canoe, kayak, rubber dingy is invited to join our own family-friendly water party.
We>Tar Sands Event Information:
- Meet up Noon, Saturday, July 4
- Lakeside Park Boat Launch.
- Boats and gear can be rented very inexpensively at Lakeside Park Beach House. Arrive early to rent your gear.
- Be safe: be sure to have Personal Flotation Devices for EVERY paddler, bailers, whistles and throw rope. Everyone paddles at their own risk.
- Everyone is also invited to bring banners or placards to put their twist on the message: WE are GREATER than Tar Sands!
