Lobby of the Labour Party Conference Sunday 21st September

           

Guest blog: Police and fracking companies – in each other’s pockets?

By Netpol: The Network for Police Monitoring In February 2014, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Sir Peter Fahy, was widely reported complaining that anti-fracking protesters at Barton Moss, Salford, were “constantly try and provoke officers and are personally insulting to them” and insisting the policing operation was entirely impartial. He told the press: …

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Press Release: Documents show GMP broke their own rules at Barton Moss anti-fracking protest

A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between Greater Manchester Police, fracking company Igas, and other agencies shows the police broke their own agreed code of conduct in dealing with anti-fracking protests. The Memorandum states that its purpose was to “facilitate peaceful protest” (1.1) and that “Police Officers must only use the minimum amount of …

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Five Questions On The Policing Of Barton Moss Protests

Igas have left Barton Moss and we don’t know if they will be back. Another test drill is planned at nearby Davyhulme, but work hasn’t started yet. So whilst it is a bit of a phoney war situation for the moment in Manchester, many questions still remain about the policing of the protests over the …

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Blog: Stop TTIP or we’re fracked

Trade deals are usually rather straightforward. They are mechanisms by which rich, powerful nations get poor, weaker nations to open their borders to trade on their terms enriching the large corporations, a small elite and, if you’re very lucky, a few in the middle as well whilst driving those at the bottom off the land …

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Press Release: Evidence of contamination at Barton Moss fracking site to be presented in court. Possibility of first evidence of groundwater pollution from the fracking process in the UK.

The existence of evidence that shows fracking may have already contaminated groundwater in the UK was announced today in Liverpool Crown Court. A Judicial Review ruled that Simon Pook of Robert Lizar solicitors, who represents campaigners arrested during protests against test drilling by the fracking company Igas at Barton Moss, means that expert evidence of …

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Press Release: Anger at police tactics as more charges against Barton Moss protectors are dropped

Seven more people arrested during the anti-fracking protests at Barton Moss had their charges dropped on Friday raising concerns that the police have been arresting people attending the demonstrations on charges that they know are bogus or which they have no intention of prosecuting. Amongst those having charges dropped on Friday was Vanda Gillett whose …

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Anne Power wins Observer Ethical Award!

Congratulations to our own Anne Power, winner of the Local Hero Category in the Observer Ethical Awards. Anne said “I was honoured to have been nominated by the Barton Moss tribe of earth protectors and delighted to have won, so that Fracking and its dangers can be given more publicity. All credit goes to Barton …

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Press Release: Frack Free Greater Manchester responds to Queen’s Speech proposals to allow fracking under people’s homes without consent

Frack Free Greater Manchester responds to plans due to be announced in the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday that fracking is to be allowed under people’s homes without their permission. Martin Porter said “This is another admission by the government that they have lost the argument. Home owners will not be asked for permission because the …

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Press Release: EU Free Trade deal that could stop city banning fracking

Frack Free Greater Manchester is to call on the regions new Members of the European Parliament to oppose a free trade deal that could see the city sued if it bans fracking. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership (TTIP) is a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the USA. The draft includes …

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