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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Mark Westlund, mark.westlund@sierraclub.org, 415-977-5719

Media Advisory: National Environmental and Tribal Leaders Discuss Upcoming Tar Sands Resistance March

WASHINGTON

In the lead-up to what is expected to be the largest anti-tar sands event ever to take place in the Midwest in St. Paul on June 6, advocates will host a national telephonic press conference tomorrow to discuss the serious threat posed to the Great Lakes region by dirty tar sands projects like the Alberta Clipper pipeline expansion, and the growing region-wide movement to stop them.

WHAT: National press call to discuss the upcoming Tar Sands Resistance March

WHO:

Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club

Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org

Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network

Andy Pearson, Midwest Tar Sands Coordinator with MN350

Doug Hayes, Staff Attorney with the Sierra Club, will also be available to answer any legal questions about the pending lawsuit regarding Alberta Clipper

WHEN: Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2 at 12:00 pm EST

DIAL: 888-632-3384

PASS CODE: GREAT LAKES

In addition to Saturday's massive march and rally, environmental and tribal activists plan to conduct events throughout this week to highlight the threats of the proposed Sandpiper pipeline and the lack of tribal consultation that has taken place throughout the approval process:

On Wednesday, June 3, activists with Honor the Earth plan to rally outside the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission office. The PUC will be meeting to hear oral arguments about the proposed Sandpiper pipeline, which would open a new corridor for transporting dirty fuels across Minnesota's lake country. The rally will take place at 9:30 AM in downtown St. Paul, 121 7th Place E, Suite 350.

On Thursday, June 4, the White Earth Band of Lake Superior Chippewa will hold the first pipeline hearing to be held on reservation to discuss how the proposed Sandpiper and Line 3 pipelines would impact tribal lands and people. The hearing will be at the Rice Lake Community Center (26209 Water Tower Loop) from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

On Friday, June 5, the Mille Lacs Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is holding a second pipeline hearing at 10:00 morning, Friday June 5, at the East Lake Community Center, 20650 363rd Lane.

Also on June 5, the Minnesota PUC will hold their internal deliberations about the Sandpiper Certificate of Need and vote on the pipeline.

The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone's right to a healthy world.

(415) 977-5500