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'We have to stand together': Muskrat Falls protesters gather in St. John's

Hundreds of Muskrat Falls protesters chanted “water is life” as they rallied in the rain outside the Colonial Building in St. John’s Sunday afternoon.

Hundreds rallied at Colonial Building in St. John’s to protest Muskrat Falls

Muskrat Falls protest spills into St. John's

8 years ago
Duration 1:24
Attendees fearful flooding will causing methylmercury levels to rise

Hundreds of Muskrat Falls protesters chanted "water is life" as they rallied in the rain outside the Colonial Building in St. John's Sunday afternoon.

The group gathered to show support for the protests happening in Labrador.

Among them was Labradorian Darryl Webb.

"I'm here to stand up for what I believe in" he said.

"To make Muskrat right. To save the waters of my people back home."

Darryl Webb says he wishes he could be in Labrador to join protesters at the Muskrat Falls site. (Amy Stoodley/CBC)

Webb and others are demanding Nalcor clear all of the vegetation and topsoil at Muskrat Falls before flooding begins. Protesters are also calling on the company to develop an emergency plan in case the infrastructure at the North Spur collapses.

Webb said being away from home is hard, and he wishes he could do more to help protesters in Labrador.

"I can't be back home to be at the gate so, I feel I should be here. We have to stand together in solidarity," he said.

"Save the humans," says 3-year-old Olive Thorbrook at the Muskrat Falls protest in St. John's Sunday. (Amy Stoodley/CBC)

About 200 people, including actor and environmental activist Greg Malone, took part in Sunday's event. 

"We're really going to destroy the way of life for people on the Melville lake forever," said Malone.

"They have a right to a clean environment and we are going to poison it for a quick buck."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amy Stoodley is a former reporter with CBC News in St. John's.