<p>&lt;&lt; a bulletin from <a title="www.gatewaysucks.org" href="http://www.gatewaysucks.org/">www.gatewaysucks.org</a> &gt;&gt;</p>
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<p><b>Our recent climate justice action was a sandbag success!</b> We filled almost 200 bags with freeway 'pre-load' sand that was covering prime Delta farmland, and re-purposed it to blockade the provincial Cabinet Offices in downtown Vancouver. Check out the great writeup and pics in Vancouver Media Co-op: <a href="http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/climate-justice-vancouver-time-compromise-over/5419">&quot;Climate Justice in Vancouver: The Time for Compromise is Over&quot;</a> and also <a href="http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/video/direct-action-climate-justice/5424">check the video</a>. The story was widely covered by <a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Protesters%20target%20government%20Vancouver%20office%20over%20Gateway%20project%20climate%20change/3963678/story.html">local media</a> and was also picked up by outlets <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Protesters%20dump%20sand%20trade%20centre/3964892/story.html">across the country</a>.</p>
<p>As the holidays approach, it's a great time to reflect on the campaign. It's been a momentous year for all of us working to defend our neighbours, health, environment and climate from the onslaught of the Gateway freeways. The tide is turning, and we can all take some credit for this sea change.</p>
<p>&quot;White elephant&quot; &quot;Downgraded&quot; &quot;Millions over budget and behind schedule&quot;. These are just a few of the ways the SFPR freeway has been described in the mainstream media this year. <a href="http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/southdeltaleader/news/110452879.html">An environmental lawsuit was launched.</a> Hundreds of people took collective action and <a href="../../../../../../dig">dug up the SFPR with shovels and wheelbarrows.</a> New alliances formed as people from diverse groups across the region worked together to stop climate crime. And we acted in solidarity with people around the world who are facing the worst effects of climate change caused by freeway expansion in Canada.</p>
<p><b>Years of campaigning for 'better transit not freeways' is starting to pay off.</b> Working with groups, including New Westminster Environmental Partners and the Council of Canadians, we just won an important victory against the <a href="http://thecanadian.org/k2/item/415-eric-doherty-3">North Fraser Perimeter Road freeway (NFPR).</a> After hundreds of people spoke out against this proposal, New Westminster City Council voted to reject the province's plan to spend up to $175 million on just the first stage of the NFPR in New West. We have, at least for the moment, blocked the next major stage in the Gateway freeway scheme.</p>
<p>But the work's not over. The next few months will be key in the struggle to stop freeway expansion and shift public spending to environmentally just alternatives. <a href="../../../../../../trail">Forests still stand</a> where SFPR construction could begin in the near future, unless we step up the pressure.</p>
<p>As we step up to meet this challenge, we hope you will get involved! If you want to participate in direct action against freeways in Metro Vancouver, send a message to badfreeway (at) riseup (dot) net&nbsp; to be added to the list for an early &quot;heads up&quot; of what's coming next.</p>
<p><b>We also need your financial support. </b>As a grassroots, community-based group with very modest overhead, we can squeeze a ton of action out of even a few bucks. Please donate by using the <a href="../../../../../../please-support-gatewaysucks-org">orange PayPal button on our website</a> or <a href="../../../../../../contact">contact us</a> to make alternate arrangements. Thanks for your support!</p>
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<p>Happy Holidays from your freeway fighting friends at Gateway Sucks!</p>