Rising Tide North America
– https://risingtidenorthamerica.org/ –
Just now, anti-fracking activists in Denver Colorado have erected a 20 foot mock wooden oil derrick in front of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper’s mansion in a posh Denver neighborhood demanding an end to the practice in their state.
A mother and daughter from the frack impacted community of Loveland, CO are chained themselves to the oil rig in protest, while another anti-fracking activist is perched atop it. Loudspeakers have been mounted to the top of the platform, projecting the personal stories of citizens who’ve been harmed by fracking.
Under Hickenlooper, Colorado has been reckless in its development of shale gas reserves. Over 55,000 wells are currently in production and industry’s cozy relationship with the governor continues to maintain business as usual.
Since 2012, Colorado communities have passed five fracking bans and moratoria via ballot initiative, while being hugely outspent by the oil and gas industry. Governor Hickenlooper and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association have issued lawsuits attempting to overturn the results of the democratic process. The cases are now on appeal and will be decided on by the Colorado Supreme Court.