Cross-posted from @qtcatspictureclub on InstagramFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Land and Water Protectors Lockdown Trans Mountain Pipeline Insurers’ Offices
[Unceded Musqueam, Squamish), and Tsleil-Waututh territories, Vancouver, BC, April 14th, 2021]
What: Land and water protectors have locked down the entrances to Chubb Insurance and Liberty Mutual Insurance, two of the insurers of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project (TMX).
When: April 14th, 8:00 AM Now! Come witness the direct action currently taking place. Strict physical distancing and masks required.
Where: Chubb Insurance Company,250 Howe St AND Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, 999 W Hastings Street on Unceded x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and S?l?ilw?ta?? (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, in so-called Vancouver, BC.
Why: We demand that Chubb and Liberty Mutual stop insuring TMX.
Indigenous and settler land and water protectors have locked down the entrances and four youth have chained themselves to two doors at two insurance companies, Chubb and Liberty Mutual, in so-called Downtown Vancouver this morning. Work is being disrupted at these companies’ offices on the same day as Liberty Mutual’s Annual Policyholder meeting to draw attention to the irreparable harm that these companies are causing by enabling Trans Mountain to force a pipeline through unceded territories without prior, informed consent.
Anishinaabe’kwe, Indigenous Elder from Turtle Island and supporter of the group, Veronica Butler says, “We are targeting Chubb and Liberty Mutual in solidarity with all Indigenous land and water defenders who persistently oppose TMX for degrading their ancestral homelands and sacred waters. Chubb and Liberty Mutual, alongside other TMX insurers like AIG, must stop insuring this genocidal project.”
Following pressure from Indigenous youth earlier this year, the federal government-owned Trans Mountain Corporation submitted a request to the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) asking to protect the identities of TMX insurers. “This demonstrates that direct action works, and that these companies are fearing for their reputation and profits as the public becomes aware of their complacency in genocide.
