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“We’re not going to ask the politicians,” organizer Sam Law said. “The politicians can take the lead from us. We don’t need permission to protect our community.”
Law and approximately 100 other protesters gathered late Saturday morning at the entrance of Schlumberger, the world’s leading oilfield services company, in Horseheads. The group’s goal was to shut down operations at Schlumberger, and the rally included signs, speakers and chants, including, “We won’t stop until they stop,” and “Our air and water are under attack. What do we do? Stand up, fight back.”
Saturday afternoon, Law posted the following on his group’s website: “Protesters were prepared to risk arrest blockading trucks from entering the single-entry gate into the facility, but at this point, the goal of the demonstration has been accomplished without arrests: Schlumberger has been shut down.”
Law said 15-20 of the protesters were willing to get arrested blocking truck traffic to Schlumberger.
State troopers and Horseheads police officers arrived at the rally around 11:30 a.m., but they treated the rally as a peaceful protest.
Officers made contact with the protesters, then observed from a distance. Law said the group had no contact with Schlumberger representatives.
State troopers and Horseheads police officers arrived at the rally around 11:30 a.m., but they treated the rally as a peaceful protest.
Officers made contact with the protesters, then observed from a distance. Law said the group had no contact with Schlumberger representatives.
Even with police watching the rally, protesters seemed unfazed.
“We’re here to say: ‘This is our homeland, and we will protect it,’” said Sandra Steingraber, an ecologist and author.
Said protester Kat Stevens: “This is the place that makes the destruction of Pennsylvania possible.”
Beyond supporting drilling operations in Pennsylvania, Schlumberger is a nuisance to Horseheads residents because of the silica dust it spreads, the noise it makes and its bright overnight lights that “make Yankee Stadium look dim,” protester Ruth Young said.
The group said finding new sources of energy is important, but the focus should be on going green.
“The sooner this fracking bridge to nowhere is gone, the sooner the workers can be trained for the green-collar economy,” Young said.
The rally was organized by Shaleshock Direct Action Working Group, a coalition of community members from Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, and Tompkins counties. The organization’s mission is to “defend people, land and water from hydro-fracking.” Its website can be found at dontfrackwithus.org.
(the-leader.com)
“We’re here to say: ‘This is our homeland, and we will protect it,’” said Sandra Steingraber, an ecologist and author.
Said protester Kat Stevens: “This is the place that makes the destruction of Pennsylvania possible.”
Beyond supporting drilling operations in Pennsylvania, Schlumberger is a nuisance to Horseheads residents because of the silica dust it spreads, the noise it makes and its bright overnight lights that “make Yankee Stadium look dim,” protester Ruth Young said.
The group said finding new sources of energy is important, but the focus should be on going green.
“The sooner this fracking bridge to nowhere is gone, the sooner the workers can be trained for the green-collar economy,” Young said.
The rally was organized by Shaleshock Direct Action Working Group, a coalition of community members from Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, and Tompkins counties. The organization’s mission is to “defend people, land and water from hydro-fracking.” Its website can be found at dontfrackwithus.org.
(the-leader.com)
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