Three generations of Lancashire family disrupt Cuadrilla’s proposed fracking site
For immediate release: 12th July 2017
Photos available via Reclaim the Power Flickr
Further images and footage available – contact press@reclaimthepower.org.uk, 07404 016676
LANCASHIRE, UK — This morning, three generations of a Lancashire family have taken action against the fracking industry, blockading the gates to Cuadrilla’s proposed site on Preston New Road. The intergenerational action saw four members of the same family ‘lock-on’ in protest of plans to frack on the Fylde Coast [1].
Credit: Reclaim the Power
The family members locked into boxes reading ‘families against fracking’ outside the gates of the Preston New Road exploratory fracking site.
Gillian Kelly (73) – mother of Sebastian and grandmother of Megan, locked on at the site – commented:
‘I’ve never done anything like this before, but I can’t sit idly and watch the place I was born and raised be poisoned and polluted by fracking. I feel now I’ve got to make a stand. This will affect my whole family and their futures; my sons, my grandchildren – and that’s why we’re taking action together as a family today.’
The lock on followed a silent demonstration by over 100 women from the anti-fracking community, entitled ‘Call for Calm’, seeking an end to increasingly violent police and security tactics witnessed at the site [2].
Credit: Reclaim the Power
Today’s action comes as part of the ‘Rolling Resistance’ month of action, organised by local anti-fracking groups and national network Reclaim the Power. It aims to disrupt work at Cuadrilla’s site every day in July [3].
The blockade marks the eighth working day disrupted at the site since the beginning of the month – actions so far have included multiple lock-on blockades, a mass public demo last Friday, and people climbing onto delivery lorries [4].
ENDS
CONTACT: For all press enquiries, interviews and information, please contact 07404 016676, press@nodashforgas.org.uk
NOTES:
- Full names and ages: Gillian Kelly (73), Sebastian Kelly (48), Megan Kelly (19), Paul Martyn (61)
- Police tactics at fracking protests need urgent review, says MEP
- Reclaim the Power is a UK-based direct action network fighting for social, environmental and economic justice. They been working to oppose fracking since 2013 when they organised mass action at Balcombe. Since then, they’ve hosted anti-fracking action camps in Blackpool and at Didcot Power station, and taken countless actions to expose and resist the industry as well as the businesses in its supply chain. Read more at reclaimthepower.org.uk
For a round up of last week’s actions, see: reclaimthepower.org.uk/news/rolling-resistance-weekly-round-up-what-a-start/