Bringing Truth Of KXL Pipeline To The People

Photo Submitted
Buffy Sainte-Marie will perform, along with Indigenous, at the March 24 Fact Forum and Concert to be held in Norman, Okla.

Staff Report

KXL Pipeline TruthForce — an alliance of individuals & organizations from across six states and Canada — have come together to present an educational forum for the people of this region about the tar sands mining in the Boreal Forests of Alberta, Canada and transportation of this dangerous tar sands slurry across the entire U.S.

The 1,700-plus-mile Keystone XL Pipeline needed to export low-grade tar sands petroleum product to overseas markets is partially completed, and currently under construction in Oklahoma and Texas, while opponents eagerly await a final decision on its completion from President Barack Obama.

Canadian-based company TransCanada has sent land acquisition officers who have come to the U.S. seizing land through eminent domain condemnation, or purchasing it with what some impacted property owners claim in ongoing litigation are fraudulent, misleading contracts.

TruthForce will host a day of music, information and accounts from people with first-hand knowledge of tar sands pipelines and issues surrounding the eminent domain seizures and recent impacted citizen litigation against TransCanada Corp. (TC).

Speakers will include Jim Hightower, nationally-syndicated columnist, progressive author,  humorist and former Texas Ag. Commissioner. Hightower is known for his sage one-liners like: “The water won’t clear up ’til we get the hogs out of the creek.”

Michele Barlond-Smith, survivor of the 2010 Michigan 850,000+ gallon pipeline rupture and leak of tar sands will speak. Also to speak are representatives from The Council of Canadians, Blue Planet Project, and Earl Hatley, an Oklahoma Native American Grand RiverKeeper, and Michael Bishop, the Texas ranch owner who recently lost land through eminent domain condemnation to TransCanada.

Ben G., activist from the anti-pipeline group, BOLD Nebraska and other legal experts from Oklahoma and Texas will speak.

Musicians will include Buffy Sainte-Marie, award-winning Canadian Indigenous Cree singer/songwriter and educator; Indigenous with guitar work from Mato Nanji, South Dakota’s blues/rock legend and more.

Speakers will provide first-hand accounts from friends and neighbors who have been impacted by the pipeline and other experts in the field, along with tar sands pipeline dangers, ruptures and post disasters. Explore the impact similar disasters could have on Oklahoman and Texan landowners, the ecosystem and fresh drinking water.

Discussion will include the controversy about whether or not the pipeline will bring jobs to the U.S., including recent studies by Cornell University and other institutions about the important economic impact for the states to be discussed. Event will take place in rain or shine, Sunday, March 24, Andrews Park, 201 W. Daws St., Norman, Okla., from 12 to 6 p.m., with a suggested donation of $5, with larger donations welcomed.

For more information, contact kxlpipelinetruthforce@gmail.com, or find them online at
www.facebook.com/kxlpipelinetruthforce.

Short Video by Great Plains Tar Sands Resistance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IkOj4qHR_c&feature=youtu.be