About 130 protesters gathered at noon Wednesday on the sidewalk outside Ida ChongB次元官网网址檚 constituency office to voice their concern regarding the proposed Enbridge and Kinder Morgan pipeline projects.

The rally was part of an ongoing series of protests co-ordinated by a group known as Defend Our Coast B次元官网网址� the same group who organized the much larger protest on the grounds of the legislature on Monday.

While some protesters were affiliated with groups like the Dogwood Initiative and Victoria Paddlers Against Pipelines, most were simply concerned area residents.

The crowd was made up of seniors and children, and one placard waving mother came with an infant child strapped to her body in a carry harness.

Petitions were circulated and, at one point, protesters linked arms to demonstrate their solidarity.

But to the frustration of some protesters, one person who did not show up to the rally was Ida Chong, MLA Oak Bay-Gordon Head.

Her staff cited previous cabinet business in Vancouver as the reason for her absence. Staff remained sequestered in their locked second floor offices at 3930 Shelbourne St.

Maureen Halstead-Rogoza, ChongB次元官网网址檚 constituency assistant had no comment other than to say that the protest was not planned to respect ChongB次元官网网址檚 previous schedule.

The situation was further aggravated when the Shelbourne Street building manager  locked the front entrance of the two story office building and stood in the foyer preventing access by any protesters through the unlocked back entrance.

That move angered Ray Zimmerman, one of the area residents who had come out to make his voice heard.

B次元官网网址淔or her (Chong) to hide behind the fact that sheB次元官网网址檚 on private property is disgusting,B次元官网网址� said Zimmerman, who gained access to the building after entering with a television crew in tow.

B次元官网网址淭he leg building is closed, this office is closed ... and theyB次元官网网址檝e disappeared. ItB次元官网网址檚 outrageous,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淗ow can we express our concerns? ItB次元官网网址檚 like weB次元官网网址檙e talking to ourselves.B次元官网网址�

It was a sentiment shared by many of the demonstrators.

Emma Gilchrist held a sign that read B次元官网网址淒ear Ida, Thank Christie (Clark) for the tough talk. Now itB次元官网网址檚 time for action.B次元官网网址�

Gilchrist was also disappointed that Chong had failed to attend a protest for which sheB次元官网网址檇 been given advance warning.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not like this is a surprise to her,B次元官网网址� said Gilchrist. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檇 think sheB次元官网网址檇 want to hear from her constituents.B次元官网网址�

Andrew Weaver, Green Party candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, said that Chong or a representative of her office should have come down to the protest.

B次元官网网址淎n MLAB次元官网网址檚 most important role is to listen to constituents,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his is about dialogue. ItB次元官网网址檚 an example of how this government has lost touch with the people.B次元官网网址�

Later, Chong said she felt the criticisms were unwarranted.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e believe I have been accessible,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e responded to many letters and made my position clear. If thereB次元官网网址檚 a problem (with access) I havenB次元官网网址檛 heard about it.B次元官网网址�

reporter@vicnews.com