In a bid to avoid possible protests, the venue for a major fracking industry conference today was withheld from the actual delegates until the last moment. But that didn't stop anti-fracking campaigners from finding out and mounting a protest outside the Radisson Blu Hotel at Manchester Airport this afternoon.
CEOs from American and Canadian oil companies who had flown in to attend the conference were met with a demonstration against fracking by Frack Free Greater Manchester, Manchester Friends of the Earth and Manchester Greenpeace.
"By showing up at a 'secret' event we showed the fracking industry that we will fight them every inch of the way" said Martin Porter of Manchester Greenpeace Network.
"They're doing this now because if devolution really means devolution then the people of Greater Manchester will never allow it" added Daniel Clayton from Rochdale.
The demonstration also highlighted yet again last week's decision by Sajid Javid, the Tory Secretary of State for Local Government and Communities, who upheld an appeal by Cuadrilla for permission to frack Fylde, against the wishes of both local people and Lancashire County Council (see here).
"This is no longer just a battle against fracking, it's a battle for our democratic rights," said Jenny Ross of Frack Free Greater Manchester "If central government set a precedent that any local decision they don't like they can simply overturn, then where will that end? Government is supposed to amplify the voices of local people, not ignore them."
Lori Lewis, a student from Ashton-under-Lyne, added "The Government needs to understand that we've said `No to water contamination and no to climate change'. Most of all, though, they need to understand that no means no."
Ernest and Phyllis Morris, both 77, from Horwich explained "We're here for our grandchildren. There are enough holes in the ground, poisoning the water. We want clean energy."
Caroline Haywood, who had travelled from Selby to join the protest, said "There is now a truce between Yorkshire and Lancashire. From sea to sea we are united against fracking."
Photos courtesy of Manchester Greenpeace Network
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