Jet FM, January 21, 2012

Drivers sounded their horns as they passed a festive gathering at Buckley Bay on Saturday afternoon.

Around 200 people came out to demonstrate against the Raven coal mine, which is proposed for Fanny Bay.

"Welcome to the Comox Valley: future home of poor socio-economic conditions," read one protesters' sign.

"We most definitely do not want a coal mine in this area," one demonstrator said, as a loud cheer went up around her, "and I think there's an awful lot of support here for that."

"I don't support having a coal mine in the Comox Valley or anywhere. It's a ridiculous, outdated way of approaching our energy needs," said another protester, echoing the rally's organiser.

Fireweed, from the local Water Dragon Alliance, says Saturday's rally was a demonstration of solidarity with those protesting against coal around the world.

"Really, the whole crux of this is that we don't want to see this going on in anyone's backyard," says Fireweed. "We want to see clean technology, clean ways of producing power, so that we're not reliant on dirty coal. There's no such thing as clean coal."

"I'm here to stand in solidarity with the people in China who are saying no to coal," declared one protester, standing near a sign that read 'Coal exports - BC's shame.'

Click here to see photos from the event, including the water dragon that disembarked the ferry from Denman Island.

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