Protest grampa hunger strike

Photo: Contributed

A 71-year-old man who has been arrested three times for protesting the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is now mounting a hunger strike while in custody, according to his supporters. 

Terry Christenson was most recently arrested July 10 at the pipeline’s Westridge terminal in Burnaby before he was able to scale a crane and unfurl a banner reading “No tankers,” according to a press release from Stand.earth. He was arrested wearing a wetsuit and snorkeling mask, police said at the time. 

He appeared in B.C. Supreme Court Monday morning “looking extremely weak and gaunt, announcing that he had been on a hunger strike since entering police custody,” according to the protest group. 

Stand.earth spokesperson Sven Biggs said Christenson is on hunger strike to draw attention to his case and climate change. 

Christenson, a Juno-nominated country singer and professional climber, has previously said he protests the pipeline to fight climate change for his grandchildren. 

“My grandkids are going to be much more impacted than me as young adults, and I feel it's my duty to help protect future generations from climate change,” he said in April. 

Christenson has been charged with criminal contempt of court and has remained in custody since his most recent arrest nearly two weeks ago, according to Stand.earth. 

At Crown counsel’s request, Christenson will remain in custody until at least until his next appearance, on Aug. 12, according to Stand.earth. His trial date has been set for Aug. 29 and 30, the press release says.

“I will continue my hunger strike,” Christenson told the court, according to Stand.earth.