This Saturday there will be a huge show of force against fracking, with a national rally starting at 11am in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, followed by a march to Castlefield.
Today it has been announced that speakers at the rally will include international social and human rights advocate, Bianca Jagger, Labour Party Greater Manchester Mayor favourite, Andy Burnham MP and John Ashton, former Special Representative for Climate Change at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
There will also be music by the Open Voice Choir, former Hacienda DJ, Dave Haslam, and Preston New Road Action Group's Morgan Marshall, who will perform his violin version of the frack-free song, Do You Hear the People Sing? The event will be hosted by Jenny Ross.
The march and rally has been called by Frack Free Lancashire, in conjunction with Frack Free Greater Manchester and Frack Free Ryedale, and has the support of SumofUs, Unite the Union and Manchester Trades Union Council.
"We are overwhelmed with the massive effort that has gone into organising this national event, by so many people" says a spokesperson from Frack Free Lancashire "This rally should be taken as a message to the Government that we will not stand back and allow our communities to be overrun by dirty industry."
A few years ago, Salford was on the front line of the movement, with fracking company IGas carrying out experimental drilling at Barton Moss. As the local community faced the GMP riot police, or TAU, on daily demonstrations against fracking, Salford's Labour Party councillors and Mayor did nothing and said nothing.
Today Salford Council has launched a consultation on its draft Local Plan, which sets out how the city should develop over the next twenty years, and includes huge sections on energy, water, green infrastructure, biodiversity, pollutions and hazards, and minerals and waste. Salford's Labour Council is still saying nothing and doing nothing in relation to fracking.
Indeed, the draft Local Plan doesn't mention fracking once, which is incredible considering the Labour Party GM Mayor candidate is actually standing on a platform this Saturday opposing the frackers.
Instead, the community is being left to itself to work out plans to stop fracking in the city. Tonight at 7pm, fracking looms large in an informal Meeting on the Environment, at Islington Mill, as part of the 150th Anniversary of Salford Trades Union Council.
Speakers have been invited from a range of different eco groups, who will speak for no more than ten minutes on a range of subjects, from fracking to flooding, direct action, eco tourism and community renewables.
Meanwhile, it is expected that Saturday's United Against Fracking march and rally will send out a message to Greater Manchester councils, as well as the Tory Government...
United Against Fracking March and Rally
Saturday 12th November meet 11am Piccadilly Gardens
Speakers include Andy Burnham, Bianca Jagger, John Ashton, Dr David McCoy from Medact, Professor David Smythe, geology expert, and representatives from Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and Unite the Union, plus members from communities who are currently under the threat of fracking.
The rally is followed by a march through Manchester city centre to Castlefield Bowl.
Environment Day at Islington Mill
Tuesday 8th November 7pm
1 James Street M3 5HW
Further details click here
Salford Climate Change
Kersal Talk Our World Your Future
Monday 14th November 7:30pm free
St Paul's Church, Kersal
Further details click here
For full details on Salford Council's consultation for the draft Local Plan click here
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