May stands up with courage

Re: “May’s actions are disappointing,” letter, May 18.

The writer suggests that federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was wrong in protesting and being arrested because she is a member of Parliament. Indeed, it is precisely because of her position that she should stand up by every means available. We can only wish that more MPs had as much courage.

The process by which the Kinder Morgan pipeline was approved was governed by what can best be described as a kangaroo court. It enabled the National Energy Board to push through a bad decision.

The public was excluded from hearings. There was no opportunity for cross-examination. The board had the power to override a duly elected council whose citizens are directly affected by the decision and First Nations whose traditional territory is affected without meaningful consultation or consent. No evidence was ever allowed regarding climate or environmental impact.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted publicly the process was flawed, but approved the pipeline anyway.

Throughout history, there have been times when people broke the law because it was a bad law: • The suffragettes in England did so for women to obtain the right to vote. • Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of the bus. • Mahatma Gandhi carried out nonviolent protest against subjugation by the British. • Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela faced imprisonment for their stand against unjust laws.

May is in good company. S.A. McBride Victoria