Sitting on the steps of the legislature, away from the thick of the protest, Samantha Sansregret surveyed the crowd gathered Monday to protest the threat of tar sands, oil tankers and oil pipelines.

B次元官网网址淚 think we should be good ancestors and think about future generations,B次元官网网址� said the soft-spoken Metis woman who lives in Victoria, her drum in hand. B次元官网网址淪pills are inevitable.B次元官网网址�

Sansregret was one of an estimated 3,000 people who travelled to the B.C. legislature to participate in the Defend Our Coast protest, led by a coalition of First Nations groups, unions and environmental organizations.

Some watched quietly, while others cheered and chanted, and waved placards while wearing elaborate costumes.

With the help of three friends, Leona Marchand navigated the crowd as the body of an enormous blue puppet representing Mother Earth.

B次元官网网址淚 made the dress last night,B次元官网网址� Marchand said, barely visible through the blue polyester costume. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 here to represent the earth and how important she is to all of us.B次元官网网址�

Among the last to speak, Green Party leader and Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

B次元官网网址淭oday the Fraser Institute issued a report saying we need to drill for oil and gas,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e addicted to fossil fuels. B次元官网网址� When you have a friend with an addiction, you need an intervention and we are the intervention!B次元官网网址�

In what was billed as a massive act of civil disobedience, more than 200 people helped to unfold a giant, black fabric banner and staked it into the legislature lawn. Stretching 235 metres, it equalled the length of a super tanker.

Marcus Waddington, a retired teacher, was third in line to lead the march.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e prepared to go to jail,B次元官网网址� he said, echoing the sentiments of many protesters. It was thought that staking the banner into the ground could incite police to start arresting protesters, however members from the Victoria Police Department simply watched the event from a distance.

The police will only get involved if people hurt others or vandalize property, said one officer.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not here to cause a riot,B次元官网网址� added another.

While the conclusion to MondayB次元官网网址檚 protest may have been anti-climatic for many who prepared for arrest, the protest continues across the province Wednesday (Oct. 24).

MLA Ida ChongB次元官网网址檚 constituency office will be the site of one such protest, intended to drive home opposition to the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan pipeline proposals.

Celine Trojand, spokesperson for the Defend Our Coast coalition, said protesters will link arms in front of ChongB次元官网网址檚 office to show an B次元官网网址渦nbroken wall of oppositionB次元官网网址� to Enbridge. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and this is important to them (First Nations people),B次元官网网址� Trojand said.

Similar demonstrations will take place at MLA offices across the province.

Organizers want todayB次元官网网址檚 protest to draw attention to ChongB次元官网网址檚 role and responsibilities regarding aboriginal affairs.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a swing riding that was won by a very narrow margin,B次元官网网址�  Trojand said. B次元官网网址淭he way she handles this issue will make a difference in the next election.B次元官网网址�

Chong says she and her government share the groupB次元官网网址檚 concern. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e saying what weB次元官网网址檙e saying. ItB次元官网网址檚 a matter of risk/benefit and right now thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing but risk.B次元官网网址�

In July, the B.C. government outlined its position on the pipeline proposals by listing five points that needed resolution before the projects could proceed, including that aboriginal and treaty rights be addressed.

B次元官网网址淭here are some 20 B.C. First Nations groups at the (federal joint review panel) hearings. Not one of them supports the project. That tells us something,B次元官网网址� Chong said. B次元官网网址淚f there is no support that develops from First Nations, I would have to go to the Premier and say B次元官网网址榳e havenB次元官网网址檛 met that point and canB次元官网网址檛 proceed.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� with files from Tim Collins

rholmen@vicnews.com