Indigenous lead protesters

Photo: The Canadian Press

Demonstrators march down Government Street during a protest against the approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline, in Victoria on Saturday, June 22.

Indigenous drummers in British Columbia are leading an anti-pipeline protest along a 22-kilometre route today that passes through Victoria and ends at a beach south of the city.

Hundreds of chanting demonstrators left city hall Saturday morning and are walking down the middle of major downtown streets, escorted by police vehicles with their lights flashing.

The march is protesting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's approval this week of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project planned to run from north of Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.

The marchers include Indigenous leaders, environmentalists and local politicians.

A small house is being towed behind the marchers and will be temporarily erected at Island View Beach, near Victoria International Airport, to house future pipeline protesters.

Victoria resident Eric Doherty said he's protesting the government's use of tax dollars to support the fossil fuel industry.