Fracking company, Cuadrilla, has started work on its site at Preston New Road in Lancashire, despite the local council rejecting planning permission, despite objections from thousands of local residents and despite two legal challenges that have yet to be heard.
There's been lock-ons and daily slow walk protests at the site and next Saturday, 25th February, campaigners from Don't Frack Lancashire have called a National Rally, with support from a host organisations, including the Green Party, Preston New Road Action Group, Friends of the Earth, the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), Greenpeace UK, Reclaim The Power, University and College Union (UCU) and UNISON.
"It's more important now than ever that we send a strong message to the fracking industry - that there is no social licence for fracking in Lancashire or anywhere" states Don't Frack Lancs "Westminster bypassed local democracy to make this happen and overturned the council decision at appeal.
"If we can't succeed in stopping them here, then we are challenged further at sites where councils have given in due to political leaning and the huge cost of rejecting, only to potentially have that overturned" it adds "We urgently need a strong showing of national support to be heard and to help local residents who are campaigning daily to stop fracking in Lancashire.
"Each day for over a month, people have gathered to delay Cuadrilla's progress" the group explains "They continue to receive huge support from passers-by...so on Saturday 25 February, the National Rally can bring us all together to call as one for this industry to be stopped. This is an opportunity for groups from everywhere to show that we stand with local people and send a message to Cuadrilla that they have no social license to frack in Lancashire."
Fight The Frack
National Day of Anti-Fracking Action 11am-2pm
Maple Farm, Preston New Rd
Westby PR4 3PE (between Preston and Blackpool).
Members of Greater Manchester Campaign Against Climate Change are aiming to get the 9.15am train from Piccadilly Station to Preston, then change trains and arrive at Kirkham and Wesham station at 10.35am.
For further details on the Rally see the Don't Frack Lancs Facebook page – click here
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