This afternoon in Swinton, as the Cycling Tour of Britain zoomed past Salford City Council's Big Day Out, demonstrators waved a Frack Off flag in protest at fracking company Ineos sponsoring the UK cycling team (formerly Team SKY).
Ineos has the fracking license for Barton Moss, as well as other areas of Salford and beyond, and the protest was joined by Cadishead Councillor, Lewis Nelson, as well as supporters of the anti-fracking movement in the city.
"Basically we're not here to protest against the race, we're here to protest against the fact that Jim Ratcliffe, who is the owner of the large chemical firm, Ineos, is sponsoring the UK riding team" explained John Catterall of Frack Free Salford.
"Ineos will be plastered all over the place but he's done it for pure selfishness" he added "Like, he sponsors the Healthy Walk To School campaign with one hand, and then pollutes the planet by importing fracked gas from America. Ineos has now also mopped up all the licenses, including the one for Barton Moss."
As the Ineos riders rode past the Civic Centre, protesters shouted 'Change your sponsor..Shame on you!'
Many Salford councillors, including City Mayor Paul Dennett, were at the Big Day Out but, apart from Councillor Nelson, none joined the protest, despite recently signing up to a Climate Emergency motion at the Council.
"I think they should be here with us" said John Catterall "They all know about it and there's no reason why they can't be here. I've just seen three councillors and didn't see them rushing to protest. I wouldn't go as far as to say they are hypocrites but I would say that, metaphorically, they don't put their money where their mouth is..."
Other protests against the Ineos sponsorship were held along the Cycling Tour Stage 8 route, particularly at the start in Altrincham and at the finish in Manchester.
For a background see previous Salford Star article - Protests Planned Against Ineos Sponsored Cycle Team - click here
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