THE APRIL 20TH STUDENTS AGAINST HYDROFRACKING RALLY
Curious...doesn't the CUNY and SUNY College/University systems have a means of issuing a notice on this to ALL THEIR STUDENTS?...if they do, someone should see if that can happen.
Please TWEET, RETWEET this, and if you can, link to it.
Press Advisory
For immediate release—April 18, 2011
Students say to New York: Jump on the BAN Wagon
Coalition Stands Up for Clean Energy Future, Demands Ban on Fracking
Who: Students Against Fracking, United for Action and other activist groups
What: Rally against Fracking, entitled “Jump on the BAN Wagon”
When: Wednesday, April 20th at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Washington Square Park, NYC
On Wednesday, April 20 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. a coalition of student activists from NYU, the New School, and other universities will rally in Washington Square Park for a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the dangerous process by which natural gas is extracted through the pumping of high volumes water, sand and chemicals below ground. Hosted by Oxfam Club at NYU, the Students Against Fracking coalition will be joined by former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Al Appleton, activist performers Reverend Billy and the Earthaluja Choir, student performers, activists and representatives to press the state legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to replace the existing moratorium on fracking that expires on July 1st with an all-out ban.
“As students, we’re concerned that there won’t be a future for us in New York after we graduate if our water supply is contaminated because of fracking,” student activist Ben Davalos said. Several companies have already applied for permits to drill in the Delaware River Basin, a primary source of drinking water for New York.
Millions of gallons of chemicals, such as benzene, a known carcinogen, have been injected into wells in the U.S. in recent years. Between 2005 and 2009 14 of the leading oil and gas companies engaged in fracking used more than 2,500 products containing 750 chemicals and other components. Twenty-nine of the chemicals used are either known or possible human carcinogens, regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act or considered hazardous air pollutants. The dangerous cocktail of chemicals used in the process enjoys many exemptions from federal regulations.
Because of the hazards demonstrated by this drilling practice in other areas, Students Against Fracking and its allies are calling for a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing until it is proven safe. Communities such as Quebec and Buffalo have already passed bans on fracking, which is why the students are calling this rally “Jump on the BAN Wagon,” a call for New Yorkers to join the global awakening to the dangers of this unsafe extraction method.
THE DETAILS REPEATED!
- Where: Washington Square Park, NYC
- When: Saturday April 23rd, 12:20 pm - 2:00 pm.
- Why: We believe the voice of the people need to be heard. Fracking is dangerous not just for all who live in NY state today, but for the future of our lives and our planet as well. We want to make the point to politicians that natural gas from fracking is NOT a transition fuel. We want a future that can benefit all living things, not just the gas companies... Stop Fracking and give us a Renewable Energy Future TODAY!
- Please bring costumes, signs, and everything in between. Every body counts!
