People slowing trucks down, police forcing them through, some arrests and overly restrictive bail conditions on those already nicked lifted…
Day 18 (Sun 11th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
See The Great Gas Gala Website for upcoming events and how to get involved.
Day 18 (Sun 11th) Of Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe Sussex
See The Great Gas Gala Website for upcoming events and how to get involved.
Update (2pm): Day 18 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Huge numbers of people coming down to the site to support the blockade and sing together.
Update (4pm): 2 arrests today. Highlight of day was homemade pizza brought down to feed people at lunch time!
Update (11am): 2nd truck of day took 40mins to get onto site. Come down and help protect Sussex.
Update (9:10am): One woman arrested while protecting Sussex from fracking.
Update (9am): Day 19 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Renewed efforts by Cuadrilla to force fracking trucks through the blockade. Come lend your support!
Update (11am): Police have forced 3 fracking trucks through the blockade today
Update (10am): Today the blockade in Balcombe goes Dutch. A contingent of people from the Netherlands is on their way to support the fight against fracking. They are expected to arrive around 3pm. Arch-frackers, Cuadrilla Resources, are also active in the Netherlands.
Update (9am): Day 20 of the community fracking blockade in Balcombe. Renewed efforts by Cuadrilla to force fracking trucks through the blockade. Come lend your support!
7.8.13
UPDATE:
10:40 AM
Police had intended to tie life-line off to two backhoes. After some uncertainty, both pieces of equipment drove off without attempting it.
7.8.13
UPDATE:
10:40 AM
Police had intended to tie life-line off to two backhoes. After some uncertainty, both pieces of equipment drove off without attempting it.
UPDATE:
10:04 AM
Police have threatened to taze Felix and use dogs to attack folks on the ground supporting them. Please call the Cass County Sherieffs Department and let them know people are watching. (269) 445-8644
UPDATE:
9:28 AM
Police officer throws large log up at Felix.
UPDATE:
9:20 AM
After turning back workers and their equipment for the last several hours, police have arrived on scene and threatened to cut Felix’s life-line.
from MI-CATS
This morning, Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands (MI-CATS) is taking direct action in the Crane Pond State Game Area to halt expansion of Canadian corporation Enbridge Energy’s tar sands pipeline 6B. Enbridge’s claim that they have restored the Kalamazoo River after the 2010 spill holds no merit, nor does it justify expanding the pipeline. Tar sands cannot be cleaned up; this material is thick and heavy, it sinks in water, and clings to surfaces. Expanding the pipeline increases the risk of another disaster for all of life and future generations.
Felix of the unconfined Kalamazoo River basin climbed into the trees early this morning to halt the expansion of Enbridge’s tar sands pipeline 6B. A rope traverse, spanning a portion of where construction is taking place, is the sole line that holds the platform they are sitting on up in the air. If it were cut and/or tampered with by police or workers they could fall from the tree, resulting in serious injury, possibly even death.
Our friend, Felix, sitting high up in the canopy to halt the construction of Enbridge Line 6B
“Tar sands pipeline 6B is pumping a dangerous concoction which fuels global capitalism. This pipeline is Canada’s promise that industrialized capitalism will continue to exploit and oppress the people of the world and the environment. Capitalism guarantees the continued destruction of the natural world. It enables the ruling class to exploit the world’s resources and force the rest of the population to labor for the ruling classes profits. Additionally, we are way beyond the verge of climate crisis. It is of utmost importance that carbon emissions stop immediately. Tar sands infrastructure is one example of industries at the root of the oil addiction. By taking action at the root of the problem, we endeavor to stop the symptoms of the problem. If we halt all carbon emissions into the atmosphere and remember how to live in harmony with the earth, there might be hope for life as we humans have known it for a few hundred thousand years.”
MI CATS asserts that direct action tactics, including civil disobedience, are now necessary as Enbridge’s dominant presence in our bio-region has allowed no room for any constructive alternatives. After three long years of blatant lies and omissions, Enbridge has the audacity to triple the capacity of the same pipeline that poured an ecologically abrasive sludge into the Kalamazoo River. This catastrophe was the largest inland oil spill this continent has ever experienced. While the Kalamazoo spill was the largest, it is one of many devastations brought on by Enbridge. Enbridge’s insidious business practices caused more than 800 pipeline spills between 1999 and 2010; that is more than one tar sands spill a week.
All pipelines leak. All markets peak. Capitalism can rot in hell. Enbridge places profit before our families, the ecosystem, our grandmothers, our dogs (yo what up Smokey*?), our grandchildren and the future of life on this planet. The continuation of tar sands transportation through pipelines like Line 6B risk more than just our own backyards; everything in the industry’s wake is left defiled and in squalor. Our actions against Enbridge won’t stop until Enbridge stops participating in the resource extraction industry. We stand in solidarity with all first peoples’ whose lands were forcibly taken from them, Idle No More, Fearless Summer, those working to end corporate personhood, all the species going extinct, those sick and dying thanks to the extraction industry, and all folks fighting oppression in order to live full and happy lives.
*Smokey was a dog who died as a result of the 2010 spill.
This is the third action MI-CATS has taken to stop construction of Enbridge’s Pipeline 6B this summer. On July 22nd they locked down to construction equipment, and on June 24 an activist climbed deep inside a section of pipe, halting work for the day.
Update (11am): Day 12 and blockade still going strong. Cuadrilla need to get in a constant stream of trucks to keep drilling and the community are making it as difficult for them as possible.
Update (11am): Day 12 and blockade still going strong. Cuadrilla need to get in a constant stream of trucks to keep drilling and the community are making it as difficult for them as possible.
Update (9am): Day 13 and blockade still going strong. A lot of people stayed overnight. Some people also heading down to Crawley Magistrates Court for 9:30am to support two Balcombe Defenders charged as a result of blockade. Come show your support!
Update (12pm): Good weather and people arriving for Tea Party this afternoon. Come on down!
Update (7am): Large number of people stayed overnight after the great day yesterday.
Update (12pm): Good weather and people arriving for Tea Party this afternoon. Come on down!
Update (7am): Large number of people stayed overnight after the great day yesterday.
Update (12:00pm): Villagers announce result of their own survey of village: 85 percent against, 9 percent undecided, 6 percent for fracking.
Update (11:30am): Around 250 more villagers stroll down to the blockade. Big crowd here.
Update (7am): Somerset Saturday today! Rig Race from London and Brighton.
Around 400 People At The Community Blockade In Balcombe
Update (2:00pm): 2 arrests reported. Come down and support Balcombe.
Update (11:00am): Confused media rumour that drilling may start soon but drill isn’t moving.
Update (9:15am): Fylde Friday at the community blockade in Balcombe. Community groups from Lancashire are visiting to show their support. Police continuing to try to push trucks through the blockade. Weather a bit damp but spirits high.
Apparently Random Attack On Man At Community Blockade By Sussex Police
Another Fracking Truck Tries To Force Its Way Through In Balcombe
Community Groups From “Desolate” Lancashire Are Support Balcombe At The Blockade
There Is Always Another Fracking Truck To Block In Balcombe
Blocking Fracking Truck In Balcombe At The Community Blockade
Police Trying To Escort A Fracking Truck Through The Community Blockade
1st August 2013
We’ve all heard about the revolution kicking off in Balcombe, but before today few would have known that the HQ of Britain’s premier fracking corporation Cuadrilla are located in the Midlands. Their offices in Lichfield were stormed today by a group acting in solidarity with the bockade in West Sussex.
1st August 2013
We’ve all heard about the revolution kicking off in Balcombe, but before today few would have known that the HQ of Britain’s premier fracking corporation Cuadrilla are located in the Midlands. Their offices in Lichfield were stormed today by a group acting in solidarity with the bockade in West Sussex.
A man in a suit, calling himself Mr Fracktastic, was accompanied by another man in a high vis carrying a fracking rig, which appeared to be made of cardboard. The unsightly duo were chased down the streets of a picturesque city, known by the locals as LichVegas, by an articulate and well-dressed mob armed with well-researched facts and catchy chants.
Mr Fracktastic shouted incoherently through a megaphone: ‘It’s going to be fracking fantastic, we’ll produce billions of litres of chemically enriched delicious water for you all to drink.’
The group responded by chanting: ‘No Dash For Gas! Reclaim the Power!’ and handed out informative leaflets to bemused onlookers. The protesters explained how fracking has become the frontline of the Government’s Dash for Gas, their lans to build up to 40 new gas-fired power stations as our existing power stations come to the end of their life. They’ll be pumped full of fracked gas fresh from our devastated countryside, leaving a trail of broken communities behind. As we spin into climate chaos from further fossil fuel fanaticism, the price of gas is set to rocket, pushing even more people into fuel poverty.
The rag tag bunch finally arrived at Cuadrilla HQ only to find that the doors of the office were locked and de-logo’d, guarded by police and surounded by a (modest) media frenzy.
‘Ha!’ Mr Fracktastic exclaimed. ‘The police are doing their job; protecting corporate profit and not the people.’ The coporate big wig proceeded to launch into a tirade, declaring the protesters a ‘bunch of smelly hippy vermin who simply do not understand the medically proven benefits of water enhanced with fracking fluid.’
Within a minute the posh executive was ovecome by the crowd, first cowering under the cardboard drilling rig. Finally, he lay on his back, arms and legs raised in the air and whimpered ‘I submit’ in a distinctive Etonian accent.
It was a small victory for the forces of sanity, in a battle that is set to continue in the coming weeks, with an ongoing blockade at Balcombe and the Reclaim the Power camp
Update (3:45pm): Two fracking trucks forced through blockade with police escort. Ambulance called for lady pushed over by police.
Update (1:00pm): Police tow away fire engine with two frackfighters still lock on inside!
Update (3:45pm): Two fracking trucks forced through blockade with police escort. Ambulance called for lady pushed over by police.
Update (1:00pm): Police tow away fire engine with two frackfighters still lock on inside!
Update (11:00am): Police have put up scaffolding next to fire engine and are trying to cut frackfighters off. Driver arrested. Support Balcombe in its fight against fracking!
Update (8:45am): Police trying to talk frack-fighers into leaving! Will they succeed?
Update (7:30am): A beautiful day in Balcombe. Weather lovely and an old fire engine is blocking the entrance of Cuadrilla’s fracking site. How could it get any better? Support the community in Balcombe!
Update (6:50am): Balcombe gets more support. Antique fire engine blocking entrance of Cuadrilla’s fracking site in Balcombe in Sussex
Our Children Say No To Fracking In Balcombe
Police Trying To Tow Fire Engine Away With Frackfighters Still Inside!
Frackfighters Inside The Fire Engine At The Community Blockade In Balcombe
Police Suround Frackfighter’s Fire Engine At Community Blockade
Police Suround Frackfighter’s Fire Engine At Community Blockade
Good Weather For Day 8 Of The Community Fracking Blockade In Balcombe
Police Cutting Team On Roof Of Fire Engine In Blacombe
Police Have Put Up Scaffolding Next To Fire Engine In Balcombe
Police Trying To Remove Frackfighters From Cab Of Fire Engine In Balcombe
Very Sunny Day In Balcombe! Take Sensible Precautions!
Frackfighter’s Twitter Account Was Suspended Shortly After The Began Tweeting
Police Trying To Remove Frackfighters From Roof Of Fire Engine In Balcombe
Good Start To The Day At Community Fracking Bloackade Of Cuadrilla’s Site
Fracking Emergency Crew Block The Entrance To Cuadrilla’s Site In Balcombe
Fracking Emergency Crew Block The Entrance To Cuadrilla’s Site In Balcombe
Community In Balcombe Gets Support From An Unlikely Source. Fracking Emergency!
The FrackFighters Settle In For The Long Haul At Balcombe Community Blockade
Community Fracking In Balcombe Get A Hand. Fracking Emergency!
Community In Balcombe Gets Support From An Unlikely Source. Fracking Emergency!
The Fracking Emergency Crew At The Balcombe Community Blockade
Fracking Emergency Crew Are In Balcombe! Old Fire Engine Blocking Entrance To Site
Fracking Emergency! Old Fire Engine Blocking Entrance To Fracking Site
31 July 2013 Fracking company Cuadrilla Resources are trying to start drilling in Balcombe, West Sussex and the community is trying to stop them. Over 250 people stopped 15 trucks bring on equipment on Day 1 (Thurs).
31 July 2013 Fracking company Cuadrilla Resources are trying to start drilling in Balcombe, West Sussex and the community is trying to stop them. Over 250 people stopped 15 trucks bring on equipment on Day 1 (Thurs). On Day 2 more than 100 police were used to break the blockade and escort trucks onto the fracking site. On Day 3 the community continued to resist attempts to force trucks through the blockade but gave up early afternoon. On Day 4 Cudrilla did not attempt to bring any trucks onto the site. On Day 5 Cuadrilla continued to try to push trucks through the blockade and the community have continued to resist. Camp is still going strong and renewed efforts are being made to defend Balcombe.
Update (10:00am): Cuadrilla’s fracking site closed and trucks being turned away. Go Balcombe!
Update (9:00am): Two people superglue themselves together, locking the gate of the Cuadrilla fracking site to defend the community of Balcombe and Sussex more generally from fracking
Cuadrilla’s Fracking Site In Balcombe Blocked By Community
Two People Glue Around The Gate Of Fracking Site In Balcombe
Two People Lock The Gate Of The Cuadrilla Fracking Site In Balcombe
30 July 2013 Photos from yesterday show that the police are massing to get Cuadrilla vehicles onto the site at Balcombe, so Cuadrilla can begin the dangerous path to fracking.
30 July 2013 Photos from yesterday show that the police are massing to get Cuadrilla vehicles onto the site at Balcombe, so Cuadrilla can begin the dangerous path to fracking.
Update (7:00pm): Rain cleared and more people coming down to show their support.
Update (5:00pm): Very large numbers of police being used to try to imposed fracking on the people of Balcombe. Come and support them!
Update (9:40am): Fracking truck attempting to force way through blockade with help of police. Come down and support community!
Update (9:00am): Weather not great today but but community standing strong against Cuadrilla’s fracking threat. Come support them.
Update (7:00am): Breakfast begin prepared at community blockade in Balcombe. Come down and support the fight against fracking.
29th July 2013: It has been 50 days since the start of the protest against Chevron’s activities by residents in Zurawlow, Rogow and Szczelatyn, Poland. Since then, they have successfully blocked the access to the land leased by Chevron where the shale gas extraction was planned to be carried out.
During that time, farmers had arranged meetings with various officials, ranging from local municipality administrators down to Ministry of Environment. Unfortunately, all of the meetings and discussions failed to meet demands of the protesters.
Protesters are being supported by activists from all over the world. We are deeply appreciative of your support. Simultaneously, we would like to ask you for direct support. At this time of the year the most important period (field harvesting) for farmers begins, thus it is crucial for us your presence at the site of the protest. Only your support, joint actions and solidarity gives us a chance to reach victory.
