Demonstration Planned in Minneapolis Today to Protest Keystone XL Pipeline

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Challenges. Discussion »

Pipeline Owners Trans Canada

MINNEAPOLIS - In an effort to display solidarity to the Canadian protest taking place in Ottawa today, the Indigenous Environmental Network, representatives of First Nations, the American Indian Movement and environmental groups will demonstrate against the Keystone XL Pipeline in Minneapolis today.

“We want to show our solidarity to those protesting up in Canada and what is going on in Washington,”

said Marty Cobenais, Keystone XL Pipestone Organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network the Native News Network on Sunday afternoon.

Organizers are requesting those interested in joining them, march from the Royal Bank of Canada, located at 111 Washington Avenue South in Minneapolis at 12 noon cdt. The demonstrators will then march from the Royal Bank of Canada to Canadian Consulate's office at 701 - 4th Avenue in Minneapolis where they will hold a protest rally beginning at 1:00 pm cdt.

Royal Bank of Canada has investments in the Tar Sands and is helping to finance TransCanada's Keystone XL Pipeline.

The purpose of the rally at the Canadian Consulate's office is to protest the Canadian government's support of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

American Indian groups and organizations, including the Congress of American Indians, have come out in opposition to the building of the Keystone XL Pipeline because of the negative environmental impact it will have on Indian Country if it is completed.

Last month, several American Indian leaders were arrested outside of the White House when they protested the proposed pipeline.

Photo courtesy of Qyd/Pictures

posted September 26, 2011 6:00 am edt