March through Pickering in North Yorkshire, 2 December 2017. Photo: Frack Free Pickering
In this update on protests about fracking and the onshore oil and gas industry:
- Campaigners occupy and evicted from Horse Hill oil site in Surrey;
- March through Pickering against fracking plans in Yorkshire;
- Protests against Barclays Bank’s ownership of Third Energy.
- Climate change protest at government department
- Slow walk protests at Kirby Misperton
This post will updated with new material. Please let us know (click here) about events which you think should be included.
9 December 2017
Monks bless land at Woodsetts
The Dalai Lama’s Gyuto Monks carried out a land puja ceremony at INEOS’s proposed shale gas site at Woodsetts, south Yorkshire, as part of their Open Mind Loving Heart UK tour. The ceremony honoured and blessed the land and residents.
Gyuto Monks at INEOS’s proposed shale gas site at Woodsetts, south Yorkshire. Photo: Steve Bramley
8 December 2017
Monks blessing at Preston New Road
The Dalai Lama’s Gyoto Monks visited Maple Farm and the land outside Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road site at Little Plumpton near Blackpool. In a ceremony they blessed the land and people living nearby. Photos: Peter Yankowski
Christmas Party at entrance to Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton fracking site
Christmas Party at entrance to Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton site, 8 December 2017. Photo: Helen Chuntso
Christmas Party at entrance to Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton site, 8 December 2017. Photo: Pip Hockey
7 December 2017
Fracking debate at Eckington
People voting against fracking at debate at Eckington, 7 December 2017. Photo: Still from video by The People Against Fracking
Fracking was rejected by the vast majority of people at a debate on its role in Britain’s energy mix. More than 150 people attended the event in a Derbyshire village near the county’s first proposed shale gas site. DrillOrDrop report
12 convicted of obstruction
A dozen anti-fracking protesters who denied obstructing the road outside Cuadrilla’s shale gas site at Preston New Road have been found guilty. A district judge in Blackpool sentenced them to a nine-month conditional discharge and ordered them to pay £170 costs. The trial followed a day-long protest on 8 May 2017.
Anti-fracking protester fined
A 31-year-old woman who took part in a lock-on protest outside Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton site on 19 October 2017 has been fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £30 surcharge. She also received a conditional discharge. York Magistrates Court had admitted obstructing the road and later failing to attend court.
6 December 2017
Slow walk protest at Kirby Misperton
Slow walk protest outside Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton fracking site. Photo: North Yorkshire Police
North Yorkshire Police reported that four people walked in front of a lorry delivering to Third Energy’s fracking site. The walk delayed the vehicle between 1pm-1.20pm.
Supt Alisdair Dey said:
“We are balancing the needs and wishes of all parties involved at Kirby Misperton, including people assembling and protesting peacefully, businesses carrying out their lawful activity, and local residents going about their daily lives safely and without disruption.”
5 December 2017
Christian protest at government department
Christian Climate Action protest at Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 5 December 2017. Photo: CCA
Christian Climate Action protest at Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, 5 December 2017. Photo: CCA
Members of Christian Climate Action held a vigil, performed street theatre and used red spray paint to call for a radical reformation of the economy to protect people and the world from climate change.
The action marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the second anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. Characters dressed as Pope Francis and Martin Luther visited the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to remind government of its commitments to tackle climate change. Police were called but the department decided not to press charges.
Caroline Harmon, a member of Christian Climate Action, said:
“We disagree with the premise of the department that climate instability can be solved as part of a strategy for economic growth. The short-term health of the economy is being prioritised above the health of the planet. Whilst we welcome some elements of the department’s recently published Clean Growth Strategy, it just isn’t enough to meet our Paris Agreement targets. The state of creation is desperate. We have all the information, science and technology we need to lead the world away from the cliff-edge of climate instability towards a sustainable future. Whether we have the time is debatable. We must act now.”
4 December 2017
Lock-on and lorry protest at Leith Hill
Lock-on and lorry protests at entrance to Bury Hill Wood oil site near Leith Hill in Dorking. Photo: still from live video by Ross Monagham
Three campaigners took part in lock-on and lorry surfing protests at the Europa oil exploration site near Leith Hill. The protest followed the company’s attempt to deliver a welfare cabin to the site, in the view of the campaigners, against planning consent. The protest ended when the haulage company withdrew from the delivery contract. DrillOrDrop report
Cyclist reaches Fylde fracking site after 750 mile ride
Simon Peter looking at Cuadrilla’s drilling rig at Preston New Road near Blackpool at the end of his cycle ride. Photo: Simon Peter
Anti-fracking campaigner, Simon Peter, arrived at Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site yesterday afternoon at a 750-mile awareness-raising journey from southern Spain. 50-year-old Simon began his journey on 13 October with just a bike and trailer. His aim was raise awareness of a clean energy future without the need for fracking.
East Yorkshire rally at Kirby Misperton
Anti-fracking campaigners visited the entrance to Third Energy’s site at Kirby Misperton.
Representatives of Frack Free East Yorkshire at Kirby Misperton, 4 December 2017. Photo: Frack Free East Yorkshire
Two slow walk protests at Kirby Misperton
North Yorkshire Police said its officers facilitated two slow walks at Kirby Misperton, delaying deliveries to Third Energy’s fracking site. The police said the walks were both for 20 minutes, from 10am-10.20am and 3.30pm-3.50pm. A spokesperson said most of the offices due to be on duty at Kirby Misperton had been deployed elsewhere.
Slow walk protest outside Third Energy’s fracking site at Kirby Misperton. Photo: North Yorkshire Police
Slow walk protest outside Third Energy’s fracking site at Kirby Misperton. Photo: North Yorkshire Police
2 December 2017
March in Pickering, North Yorkshire
About 200 people join a march organised by Frack Free Pickering through the town centre. The march included a stop outside Barclays Bank in protest at its 97% ownership of Third Energy, the company waiting for the final go-ahead to frack nearby at Kirby Misperton.
March through Pickering, North Yorkshire, 2 December 2017. Photo: Frack Free Pickering
Protest outside Barclays Bank during march through Pickering, North Yorkshire, 2 December 2017. Photo: Frack Free Pickering
March through Pickering, North Yorkshire 2 December 2017. Photo: Frack Free Pickering
Eviction from Horse Hill
Protest camp evicted from Horse Hill oil exploration site near Gatwick Airport. Photo: Horse Hill Protectors
Campaigners are evicted at about 5.45pm from the Horse Hill oil site in Surrey after more than 60 hours. No-one is arrested. DrillOrDrop live updates
Barclays campaign
Anti-fracking campaigners target Barclays Bank over its 97% ownership of Third Energy, which is waiting to frack at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire.
The campaign began on 28 November, campaigners from Kirby Misperton Protection Camp used chalk paint to spray anti-fracking slogans on the windows of branches in Scarborough, Whitby and Malton in North Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for the camp said:
“In areas threatened by fracking, 90% of people are opposed to the industry; we’re calling on businesses to stand with their communities, not facilitate their destruction. Wherever fracking has been allowed to get a toehold, communities have suffered. Businesses have a responsibility to all their stakeholders, not just their shareholders.”
Chelmsford
Anti-fracking protest in Chelmsford, 2 December 2017. Photo: Linda Foord
Exeter
Anti-fracking protest in Exeter, 2 December 2017. Photo: Pana Arch
Harrogate
Protest at Harrogate branch of Barclays Bank, 29 November 2017. Photo: Still from video by Louise Hammond
Huddersfield
Anti-fracking protest in Huddersfield, 2 December 2017. Photo: Huddersfield Friends of the Earth
Leicester
Campaigners sang about fracking to the tune of traditional carols in the Barclays branch in Leicester town centre.
Anti-fracking protest in Leicester, 2 December 2017.Photo: Leicester Friends of the Earth
Anti-fracking protest in Leicester, 2 December 2017.Photo: Leicester Friends of the Earth
Liverpool
Two people were arrested after campaigners used blue-coloured chalk spray to tag the Barclays branch in Liverpool.
Ryde, Isle of Wight
Anti-fracking protest in Ryde, Isle of Wight, 2 December 2017.Photo: Nancy Farrell
Scarborough
Anti-fracking protest in Scarborough, 29 November 2017. Photo: Kirby Misperton Protection Camp
Sheffield
Anti-fracking protest in Sheffield, 2 December 2017.Photo: Anne Thoday
Anti-fracking protest in Sheffield, 2 December 2017.Photo: Anne Thoday
Campaigners in South Yorkshire also took part in protests in Chesterfield and Rotherham
Yeovil
Anti-fracking protest in Yeovil, 2 December 2017.Photo: Frack Free Yeovil
1 December 2017
Blockade at Kirby Misperton
North Yorkshire Police said a delivery to Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton site was held up for 20 minutes by a protest, facilitated by its officers outside the gate in Habton Road between 10.20am-10.40am.
Protest facilitated by North Yorkshire Police, 1 December 2017. Photo: North Yorkshire Police
30 November 2017
Occupation of Horse Hill oil site, Surrey
Campaigners occupy the so-called “Gatwick Gusher” oil site at about 4.30am. They remain until later afternoon on 2 December 2017. Breaking news, Campaigners head for second night and eviction report
Categories: Opposition, Uncategorized
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