#Global FrackDown Day - Blockade on River Shannon - Carrick-on-Shannon

international | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday September 18, 2012 15:33 by member of NFI - No Fracking Ireland

Hollande Rejects Shale Gas in France while Irish Government Continue to Threaten it's Introduction

On Sept 22, 2012, The Global Frackdown Day will unite citizens everywhere for a day of action against fracking and the extraction of onshore unconventional gas. We will be gathering at the Tourist Office, on the Quays, Carrick on shannon at 1pm.

#Global FrackDown - Carrick-on-Shannon, Co.Leitrim

Together we wish to send a clear message to elected officials in our communities,nationally and across the globe, that we want a future fueled by clean, renewable energy, not a short term solution, that will industrialise and ruin 100's of 1000's of acres of land on this island.
We want our land, air, rivers and lakes clean and our drinking water left fit for human and animal consumption.

WATER - A flotilla of river craft of all types will converge and remain at the bridge in Carrick-on-Shannon for 1 hour. Anyone who owns a boat, kayak, canoe, windsurfing board etc etc is encouraged to come along and join in.This blockade is to raise awareness of the threat from fracking to our waterways; lakes, rivers and acquifers throughout the Shannon Basin Region.

AIR - Musicians will play along the quayside, sending music into the air that is threatened by this industry. Along the banks of the Shannon we will celebrate all that is good in our tradition and culture. We welcome positive, growth and diversity, while being mindful of what we must protect in this country, what is not for sale, but must be protected and developed sustainably for the benefit of generations to come. (More details to follow)

LAND - Over looking the Shannon people are invited to gather along the bridge and on the quayside with banners and placards etc etc expressing their contempt for this extensive industry which will cover hundred's of thousands of acres and at the same time we wish to celebrate our love for all that is good in our environment, landscape and culture.

*We ask that people on boats/with banners for the bridge etc etc arrive an hour beforehand at 12noon.

On this day of global action against this destructive industry, we have very clear demands of our national and local government -

1. We want an immediate ban on fracking (shale gas/unconventional gas extraction in Ireland) the evidence is already there to support this call.

2. While we wait for the government to act on behalf and in the interest of the people and the environment, we demand that the three licenses issued to Lough Allen Natural Gas Company,Tamboran Resources Ltd and Enegi Oil be immediately revoked. The next phase in the licensing process will permit these companies to frack, we understand this may happen in late 2012 or early 2013.

3. This Saturday we will be submitting a letter to Leitrim County Council demanding that they insert a clause into the county development plan, stating clearly, that under the plan, fracking and shale gas/unconventional gas extraction will not be permitted in county Leitrim, we will also be sending the same demand to each of the other 11 counties under threat from this industry.

*stay posted for more info/updates and please help advertise this event.

*We would like to thank all the business's who have rowed in behind us to make this demonstration possible.

If you are not in this area please support another anti-fracking event, or even better still, create/organise an event in your area.

'Love Leitrim' are hosting an event for Global Frackdown on Saturday 22nd in Manorhamilton.
Young Friends of the Earth are doing an action in Dublin.
There will also be people gathering in Galway and Cork this Saturday.
For more details on these events and other anti-fracking info you can go to
www.frackingfreeireland.org and you can join us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/146055765467930/

No Fracking Ireland and Young Friends of the Earth