Wellingtonians Demand End to Fracking!

16th November 2011

Today Wellingtonians turned out to demand an immediate end to fracking in Aotearoa, gathering at Parliament and erecting a mock drilling rig. Representatives from Labour, the Green Party and the Mana Party spoke about their concerns over the destructive gas extraction process.

'The government would not allow the drilling rig to be erected on parliament lawn, and the activity was moved to outside of Parliament grounds.' says anti-fracking organiser Jessie Dennis.' Consider the hypocrisy here, as the government will not allow a peaceful protest to occur on Parliament grounds with a small mock drilling rig, while New Zealanders all over the country face real and dangerous drilling happening in their neighbourhood.'

Hydraulic Fracturing is an incredibly destructive form of gas extraction which is fresh water and fossil fuel intensive and has caused serious water and air pollution. In various places in the world, including the whole of France and South Africa, bans and moratoriums have already been placed on fracking, Now its our turn.

'Fracking is one of the most dangerous forms of fossil fuel extraction available and communities, such as Parihaka in Taranaki, are already facing it happening in their area with dangerous chemicals being pumped under their ancestoral homeland.' says Dennis. 'If the government has its way fracking will soon be happening all over the country. We need to put a stop to fracking now, before it's too late.'

Activities also took place around the country in Taranaki, Auckland, Christchurch and other areas, with ordinary New Zealanders coming out to demand that their rights to a safe environment and clean water be respected. The government must immediately end fracking in Aotearoa.

ENDS

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