GlobalFrackdown.org has declared October 19, 2013 a day of worldwide action against #Fracking:
Thousands of people worldwide are expected to join the Global Frackdown protest on October 19. ‘Fracktivists’ from over 20 countries will gather to demand an end to fracking and “dangerous” shale gas drillings.
Numerous events are scheduled to take place mainly across the US and Europe. The global movement will be also joined by activists from Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and Indonesia. So far, a total 26 countries are listed to be taking part in the protest.
…Anti-fracking protesters in Canada have held demonstrations over the past week to protest shale gas exploration in the region.
…Recent demonstrations have also been held against US oil giant Chevron in Romania, where around 200 villagers stayed overnight at a fracking site equipped with food, warm clothes, and tents.
The company has since suspended its search for shale gas in the country.
…According to scientists, fracking generated 280 billion gallons of toxic waste during 2012 alone.
Despite warnings, the method has increased rapidly in the US in recent years, making it the worldwide leader in fracking.
The report also estimated that over 80,000 wells have been drilled or endorsed across 17 US states since 2005.
…The October 19 protest will be the second worldwide Global Frackdown to take place. The first-ever protest was in September 2012 and brought together more than 200 community actions from over 20 countries.
See also this:
These Twitter & Facebook feeds will cover today’s actions:
Sadly, much of the silica used in fracking comes from Wisconsin:
Yesterday WI Sen. Kathleen Vinehout released the following:
I am writing to alert you to a bill that appears to roll back the ability of locals to control what happens within their boundaries, especially with regard to sand mining.
This legislation is aimed at taking away local ability to protect health and safety in communities; including locals’ ability to put limits on water quality, water quantity, air quality, use of explosives and road use contracts.
…This bill is related to sand mines. However, in my preliminary discussion with Legislative Council attorneys, the bill is not specific to just non-metallic mining (sand and gravel extraction). For example, if a community sets rules in a way other than zoning (such as police powers) they may lose this authority.
The bill is currently in draft form but I expect it to move very quickly through the legislative process. I attached a copy of the bill and the co-sponsorship memo for your information and use. The bill is complex and likely has long reaching implications for local control.
The bill was just released late yesterday. I learned there will likely be a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly committees related to mining on Thursday October 24, 2013 at 9 AM in Madison. If it is at all possible, you should make plans to attend this hearing. The bill could potentially be voted out of committee at this hearing. THIS LEGISLATION COULD BECOME LAW IN JUST A FEW WEEKS.
The bill comes on the heels of other legislation that takes away powers from local people to control what happens in their neighborhoods. This is part of a larger pattern in Governor Walker’s administration. The bill appears to be written by mining interests – many of which are owned by out-of-state companies.
Everyone who cares about having a voice in what happens in their neighborhood needs to pay attention to this bill. It certainly appears to take away local ability to protect communities and gives sand mines the ability to run roughshod over local people.
Fracking can permanently damage community water resources.
Self-defense is in order.
As always, activists should be on the lookout for agent provocateurs.
There are reports that Royal Mounted Canadian Police cars at a First Nations protest in Rexton, New Brunswick on October 17, 2013 were set on fire by an indigenous RMCP and CIA informant:
Corrupt corporations and perfidious politicians of all races want collective self-defense to seem dangerous and try to falsely equate speaking out or standing one’s ground to ‘terrorism’ when in reality it’s they and their associates who instigate acts of arson and violence.
People everywhere are waking up and fighting back in self-defense.
