More than 1,000 people took to the streets of downtown Albany Monday, targeting Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a march against natural-gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing.
Protesters marched for nearly a mile, where they were escorted by three mounted police officers through some of downtown’s busiest streets. The makeshift parade made stops at the state Capitol and the Department of Environmental Conservation headquarters, where they filled an entire city block while stopping to watch a skit with a message against hydrofracking.
The protest was organized by various groups opposed to the technique used with gas-drilling. They called for a statewide ban on the process.
“Fracking should be a crime,” the marchers shouted in unison a few feet from the entrance to the DEC building, where they had set up a faux drilling rig. “We have the power to take this drill down and put up wind turbines.”
Attendance estimates by police and organizers ranged anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 people during the height of the march. Police reported no incidents with any of the protesters taking part in the march, which closed entire blocks of city streets and drew the attention of curious onlookers as it made its way to the state Capitol.
The state DEC is expected to issue a final determination at some point this year on whether high-volume hydrofracking should proceed in New York. Its environmental and regulatory review of the technique was first launched in 2008.
The Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York, a trade group
representing the gas industry, issued a statement dismissing the march.
“Gimmicks, stunts and street theatre trivialize the debate and reflect the views of an outspoken and uninformed few,” Brad Gill, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. “New Yorkers want data, science and reason to strike a balance between the environment and future energy production.”
The protest drew people of all ages, from babies in strollers to a women holding a sign calling herself a “furious granny.” High-profile environmentalist Bill McKibben addressed the crowd, as did “Gasland” filmmaker Josh Fox.
1 Comment
I was a participant in this march in Albany yesterday. I would like to clarify for the Independent Oil & gas Association of NY that we are not just outspoken and uniformed people with gimmicks! We are intelligent people who are very concerned with preserving our drinkable water and breathable air from the effects and waste products of fracking. We have seen with our very own eyes what you have done to other states, such as our neighbors in Pennsylvania. However we DO want data, science and reason. We want scientific studies that are not sponsored by your industry. We want the government to have the “reason” to support clean energy and to protect our air and water. We are not stupid, and we can see right through all your lies & propaganda. We know you are using the same PR people who told us cigarette smoking would not kill us. We also know all about the radon and the methane and other toxic substances that are released through this process. We have heard the scientists, some who spoke at the rally FYI, and guess what? They are warning us about what this will do to NY. Why should we believe you, when all you have is money to gain, and we have everything to lose??? READ: our water, our air, our jobs based on tourism and agriculture, and in essence, our entire way of life to lose?