Thousands protest Kinder Morgan pipeline in Vancouver (PHOTOS)

Thousands of people took to the streets of downtown Vancouver on Saturday, November 19 to protest the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

Reports suggest that up to 4000 protesters met at City hall before marching across the Cambie Street Bridge and congregating in Library Square.

Shortly before the protest began, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson – who has been outspoken in his criticism of the pipeline – tweeted his support for those marching, stating the expansion is “not worth the risk.”

#kindermorgan pipeline expansion not worth the risk. Oil spill from 7x more tankers would devastate environment, economy #vanpoli #cdnpoli

— Gregor Robertson (@MayorGregor) November 19, 2016

And judging by the crowds of people who attended the rally, it seems many people agreed with his sentiment.

Rally at City Hall against the Kinder Morgan pipeline. Energy feels incredible. The drums are about to start. #stopkindermorgan #bc #vancouver

A video posted by Jessica Collins (@mizz_jessica_c) on Nov 19, 2016 at 12:24pm PST

"If you drink the water, if you breath the air, this is about you." @JustinTrudeau, reject #kindermorgan #cdnpoli #stopKM #waterislife pic.twitter.com/w9f8hnhCqc

— Mike Hudema (@MikeHudema) November 19, 2016

We all live downstream. #stopKM #kindermorgan #cdnpoli #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/yRznJQBqoN

— Maria Dobrinskaya (@mdobrinskaya) November 19, 2016

The rally started at City Hall at around 3:30 pm, before protesters made their way down Cambie Street, across the bridge, and then converged again at Library Square.

I'm at stop Kinder Morgan pipeline protest in Vancouver, BC#nomoretankers #kindermorgan pic.twitter.com/86wbxJ9YVh

— Darwin Bedford (@DarwinBedford) November 19, 2016

About 2,000-4,000 people at Stop Kinder Morgan rally in front of City Hall pic.twitter.com/ReTzMpxECn

— mychaylo (@mychaylo) November 19, 2016

Cambie Street! 4000+ We are #CoastProtectors. Whatever it takes, we will stop the #KinderMorgan Pipeline. #StopKM pic.twitter.com/EyhCVwnEj4

— UBCIC (@UBCIC) November 19, 2016

My first time attending a protest. Stop #TransMountain no #kindermorgan @JustinTrudeau won't be my last. #dotherightthing pic.twitter.com/rT0NvYsYxs

— geoff affleck (@gaffleck) November 19, 2016

Happening now at #Vancouver library square. Amazing turnout at anti #kindermorgan rally. #bcpoli pic.twitter.com/BuFYiq3HZl

— Kasra Hassani (@Kasra_Ha) November 19, 2016

Vancouver protest against Kinder Morgan pic.twitter.com/pUfbMdoCNx

— Florinda Stroe (@empathymail) November 19, 2016

#Kindermorgan protest #Vancouver #Cambiebridge pic.twitter.com/2cGFsRkyiw

— Brent Dawes (@brentdawes) November 19, 2016

Marching to music #stopkindermorgan #notankers #nopipelines #greenestcity #keepitintheground

A video posted by Christopher Hakes (@chakes003) on Nov 19, 2016 at 2:38pm PST

This is happening right now in front of my apartment building in #Vancouver. Anti-Kinder Morgan march to protest the $6.8 billion pipeline project which if the project is approved, the pipeline would triple the capacity of the existing pipeline linking the Alberta oilsands with Vancouver Harbour, by Dec. 19. I’m moved by the passions of everyone, especially the First Nations people taking a firm stand against these big companies who only care about making a profit and not about the longevity of our planet. #stopkindermorgan #protest #march #saveourplanet

A video posted by Leslie Alejandro (@lesliealejandro) on Nov 19, 2016 at 2:36pm PST

Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain expansion is intended to increase the capacity of the existing pipeline from 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000 barrels per day.

But the fact it would plough through a big chunk of the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, has made the plan extremely controversial in recent years.

Two years ago, many protesters camped out on the mountain were arrested. Meanwhile the City of Burnaby even took Kinder Morgan to court over the proposal, to no avail.

The BC government has said it is up to the federal government to approve or reject the plan. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to decide on the expansion by December.