The protest against test drilling by fracking company Igas on Barton Moss, Salford, Greater Manchester, is coming to an end. The camp has been on Barton Moss Lane since November last year with the Protectors delaying vehicles entering and leaving the site by daily ‘slow walks’ in front of the Igas vehicles.
Igas’s operation by up to a month, and during that time public opinion on fracking has gone from 43% in favour (1) to 73% against (2) and their share price has collapsed wiping £80 million off the value of the company (3).
Frack Free Greater Manchester hopes that the continued presence of the camp, the three large rallies at the drilling at the site and the UK’s largest ever march against fracking in Manchester City Centre on 9th March 2014 has convinced Igas that they have no social license to frack in Greater Manchester.
On Saturday evening there will be a party on the Moss with Salford rap artists Class Actions.
From Sunday local supporters will start to clear the site, picking up litter and moving equipment to other protest sites.
Sasha Conway, one of the Protectors who camped through the winter at Barton Moss said “This has been a long and hard first part of this campaign. If Igas return, we will be back here.”
Martin Porter of Frack Free Greater Manchester said “The Protectors have endured the elements with stoicism and have met aggression with humour. They have done without most of what the rest of us would consider the basics of human civilization and in doing so have not only survived but found a community spirit that is so lacking in the rest of our society.They have been sustained by local people and have in turn inspired a local community.”
ENDS
1. BBC poll on fracking 3 December 2013
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I salute every one of the protectors who have given their time at the camp, especially those who have got themselves arrested and those who have endured violence and hostility from the GM Police, who have behaved appallingly at times. Thanks so much for all you’ve achieved.
Big love to the amazing Protectors. I have never seen such wonderful human spirit when faced with such adversity, though often portrayed badly they have totally shown up the bullying GMP and big Corporation.
we still have a battle to fight .LiarGas have only gone to prepare for fracking,,,,,we still have Davyhulme , the local elections , the salford plan , in fact we will be busy bees for some time………..plus we have other camps and sites we need to support in upton , Yorks , Notts , etc
[…] Frack Free Greater Manchester reports Barton Moss Community Protection Camp has organised a farewell party and litter-pick. The […]