Hundreds of climate activists plot 28 day blockade of Balcombe drilling site
Sunday September 1st 2013
Hundreds of activists who shut down fracking firm Cuadrilla’s operations in Balcombe for six days in August plan a 28 day rolling blockade against the company beginning September 1st [1]
’28 Days Later’ was conceived at the six-day Reclaim the Power action camp which took place near Cuadrilla’s drilling site in August [2]
28 Days Later will see groups of friends and organisations from across the UKtake on a morning, afternoon or longer to take action against Cuadrilla’s drilling site.
The Reclaim the Power camp saw hundreds take part in an inspiring range of workshops to gain a deeper understanding of key issues such as fracking, climate change, and the economics of energy. Many also participated in direct action training before engaging in protests against Cuadrilla’s Balcombe site, Litchfield Head Office, PR Company Bell Pottinger, local MP Frances Maude and fracking enthusiast and father in law of Chancellor George Osborne Lord Howell. Arm tubes, superglue, and theatre were just some of the tactics used.
Groups taking part have been advised to ‘think creatively and act responsibly’ and not to disrupt Balcombe residents.
Activists say the ‘rolling blockade’ amplifies the existing call for peaceful civil disobedience against Cuadrilla in the area.
85% of the village – over 600 households out of a total of 770 -replied to a grassroots survey initiated by the No Fracking in Balcombe Society (NoFIBS). They agreed to non-violently but non-negotiably delcare the Parish of Balcombe Frack-free. Only 6% were pro-fracking and 9% were unsure.
Sunday August 29th will see a ‘Communities Un-Fracked’ mass march where dozens of anti-fracking groups from all over the UK are expected to protest at the site.
Balcombe resident Katie Dunn said:
‘My village has gone down all the democratic channels to attempt to protect itself from this reckless, invasive industry and we have not been listened to. The people of Balcombe give no social licence for fracking here. The only peaceful way we have left to defend our families, our future and our beloved countryside is to put our bodies in the way’.
Notes
[1]Facebookpage: https://www.facebook.com/28dayslaterrollingblockade
[2] Call Out for action:https://www.nodashforgas.org.uk/uncategorized/28-days-later/
CONTACTS
No Fracking in Balcombe Society (NoFIBS) – 07810 868 477
28 Days Later – 28dayslater.balcombe@gmail.com
Twitter (@28_dayslater) and Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/28dayslaterrollingblockade
The Balcombe Community Protection Camp – 07794 495 871
Reclaim the Power – 07447 027 112 / press@nodashforgas.org.uk
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