We, the activists

Public opinion silenced
by over-enforcement of laws

...twisted to meet corporate greed’s needs

(This week in Balcombe at the Great Gas Gala against fracking for shale gas)

WE the people of this country, of these counties at risk; WE the people who depend now and always will (as will our children and theirs) on safe water and air... have said NO to shale gas extraction (fracking) on countless petitions, to numerous officials, time after time and WE have acted lawfully to be heard.

WE though are here in the fields trying to protect ourselves from an horrendous risk to our health and safety. WE are being deliberately intimidated by ‘law-enforcement’ and yet, it is WE who are arrested!

WE who are bullied by abused laws that wrap OUR law-enforcers around corporate trucks delivering drilling bits and other dangerous sh*t to our precious places of residence and dependence.

Again it is WE who are forced to do this public protest, act of self-defence – because it is OUR OWN government that is pushing this dangerous business into our communities and inflicting it on our lives.

HOW the hell do we stop this?

We gather, we share truths and research papers, we apply legal means, we print, we protest and we do all we can. Many speak out, others knit, multitudes march, a precious few research and delve deep into misleading Public Relations spin and some engage in freedom-limiting ‘Direct Actions’. The variety of acts-of-protest is both inspiring and effective; it brings this important matter to the attention of the very different types of people that WE are; in our many walks of life.

Tonight Bianca Jagger tweeted she would go to stand in support with Balcombe; after reading a tweet from Ray Beckerman  that lead to an excellent article in CommonDreams about the Great Gas Gala. She turned up and warmly shared the welcome and commitment - then shared the images and news to those who follow her. Ian R Crane too was on site and filming for those who follow him... as were the wonderful individuals who contribute to the Occupy News Network  and Reel News - each has a role and each is a conduit for the information network that is vital to ensuring an informed public.

WE cannot depend on honesty from an industry that will profit from the dangerous methods of extreme (unconventional) energy extraction because they depend on it; WE cannot trust our local officials to take the time to even understand this process. I discovered this for myself on BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday night when Morecambe MP David Morris made his ignorance clear by not knowing that more than half of the chemical laced water that enters a shale gas well - does not come back during the operation; WE cannot rely on the media to accurately report the truth even of who WE are, as we have discovered in articles that demean, mock and attack those who are *activists (*activist is simply a description of a person who having seen a wrong - is acting to resolve it).


The intention of the energy companies for our country is a hugely important matter that leads to the heart of most other hugely important matters – the impact and control of lobbyists over our ‘democratic’ system of government; an impact that gives greater voice to industry than it does to WE the people.

Whenever we hold public meetings and people are given unbiased information about shale gas extraction (fracking), they question the risk and so we focus heavily on getting the videos, studies and expert, industry voices out. Now though the danger grows ever nearer and we are having to block the roads, lock the gates and try our best to get this stopped before more harm is done. We each would wish to be heard and heeded by lawful means - but when laws are being abused by those with the power to do so (who have a vested interest)... how lawful can we remain?

 I don’t know how we ultimately solve this – I do though feel that we can ONLY succeed – together as WE, the people.

I am not a label...

It is infuriating, misleading, propagandist and downright wrong that the media define those of us who are questioning the process of shale gas extraction (fracking) and other unconventional energy practices - by their own limited views.

Giving a damn about the health, safety and well-being of our communities does NOT mean we are ‘ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS UP IN ARMS’ or ‘ENVIRONMENTALISTS OBJECTING’...
...we are PEOPLE who are objecting.

People who gather into groups to share concerns and attempt to protect our communities. The large, long-established, well-known groups focus on environmental effects as part of the bigger global picture but most in the communities due to be 'fracked' - are simply everyday human beings trying to find out if the water and air we rely on for life will stay safe; whether the roads where we live will be jammed full of heavy diesel spewing vehicles carrying undiluted chemicals; whether our local farmers will still be able to produce safe food for our markets if the agricultural land is harmed; whether our current industries and jobs may be affected by this new industry; whether the industrialisation of our land is what is best for our communities.

The topic of unconventional energy and shale gas extraction (fracking) specifically is being made to move on from ‘IS IT ACTUALLY SAFE, worthwhile and beneficial for the humans (rather than the industry and those invested in it)?’ TO how much they will get in TAX BREAKS to incentivise and encourage this dirty business - as well as how much communities will be paid and who in those communities will GET THE CASH.

We (the humans who are deeply worried about our lives and those of our families and future generations) are gathering for a 'community conversation' tomorrow - if you can be here, we would warmly welcome your input x

Local Group wins National Award: “Campaign of the Year” - Press Release

At their annual ‘Earthmovers’ ceremony this weekend, Friendsof the Earth awarded 'Campaign of the Year' to Fylde campaign group, Residents’Action on Fylde Fracking (RAFF).

Accepting the award, Julie Daniels of RAFF said: “This award is for all the groups and amazing individuals who have worked tirelessly to confront this threat to our communities. The industries seeking to extract unconventional sources of energy here are finding more and more people who know the truth and do not believe the propaganda; we are a growing force to be reckoned with.”

Presenting the award, Andy Atkins, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth said: "We're delighted to recognise Residents Against Fylde Fracking for their outstanding campaigning against dirty shale gas.

"They have inspired communities across the UK with their creativity and commitment, and show what can be achieved when a group of ordinary people come together to protect their community.

"They deserve to win not just this award but the bigger battle against fracking."

Praise, thanks and inclusion in the acceptance of the award also went to other local groups; Ribble Estuary Against Fracking, Frack FreeFylde, Refracktion and Defend Lytham as well as national groups Britain & Ireland Frack Free and Frack Off.

Tina Rothery of RAFF added: "Of course the true prize comes when we stop shale gas and other unconventional energy extraction here in the UK and beyond but for now, this award presents an exceptional opportunity to access the resources and support of Friends of the Earth who have groups throughout the UK and the world. Their support and solidarity is priceless."

Gathering on the Green

News of the award comes in time for the second ‘Gathering on the Green’ that takes place on Saturday 20 July at 2pm. The first gathering was in 2012 when local group opposing shale gas extraction arranged to meet at the Lytham Windmill during the Open Golf.

This year the groups are asking for local residents to join them for a community conversation about the risks posed by the shale gas industry.

Tina Rothery of RAFF said: “In addition to the local campaigning groups, representatives from national groups Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace will also be joining us to show support and contribute to this important conversation.  The recent report by the Advertising Standards Agency that reprimanded Cuadrilla for misleading and exaggerating their claims about the safety of ‘fracking’, show that we need honesty and residents need access to that. We’re hoping that everyone with concerns will come along.”

Jeremy Buckingham's Frack Finding Tour - United States 2012

Need You...

Our Government NEEDS us...

...it is a victim of abuse and WE must come to the rescue

Currently, daily and for the longest time - bullies, liars and thieves have sent sharp-suited, slick-talking Lobbyists into the place where our laws are made. These Lobbyists buy, cheat, manipulate, blackmail and bribe their agenda in – masquerading as democracy. 

THIS isn’t democracy – our democratic SYSTEM of government has been beaten out of shape - to serve the powerful, the wealthy and the greedy; it is now so broken and so ugly that only the worst, can function within it. 

Those lower-down the heirachy who claim to represent us are mere mouthpieces, part of the charade; feeble MPs, too weak, too threatened, too ambitious or too corrupted to do the job we trusted them with. They are NOT speaking out about the abuse and are therefore facilitating it with their compliance. Gutless and worse than ineffective; they serve as the phoney face of this fiction.

The system though is JUST a structure - NOT an ideology, NOT set in stone and NOT (yet) out of reach. It just requires fixing or redesigning so that it reflects the honesty, fairness and justice we should be demanding of OUR democratic system of government.

WE are the many and the bad are the few

Up until the internet came along, those holding office and wielding power had the loudest voices through control of media; now though, we connect, we broadcast, we get informed and are buoyed by the realisation that so very many share our discoveries and dismay...as well as our hopes.

We KNOW that trusting politicians is a stupid thing to do, we KNOW each government (all parties) will break their election promises, we KNOW that there is a revolving door that sees politicians end up with great roles in the private sector after complying with Lobbyists throughout their terms, we KNOW our academic institutions are having their research bought, tampered with and paid for by those industries with a vested interest in the outcomes and we KNOW we are lied to daily... so, WTF?

I often hear: “You know there’s nothing you can do to change it don’t you?”
THIS is the saddest thing because it reflects complete submission to a system we KNOW to be lying to us; an acceptance that the abuse can continue and that we WILL be passing this on to the next generation.

I also (more and more frequently) hear: “You know all we need is for the others to join us – then we CAN change this.”
THIS is the source of my optimism and certainty that our individual humanity (when combined) is the home of the solution. 

We are divided, fragmented and encouraged to turn on each other by applying labels and making assumptions and judgements we really have no right to make - but I KNOW when we come together with a shared need to solve a problem, a unique connectivity brings about unique solutions.

It IS time for each of us to be the honourable people we are at our core – time to get a whole lot louder and the only way to do that is to become an *activist.
(*Activist = someone who acts on their concerns).

So what DO activists do? They research, they gather with others who feel the same, they write letters to politicians, they put themselves in the way of bad acts, they dance in protest, knit in protest, chalk in protest, perform in protest, be loud in protest and sit in silence when that suits.

Knitting Protest

You can be the activist YOU choose to be... alone, in secret, in public, with others or at a mass demonstration. Recently I have seen noble individuals, standing alone with simple signs in simple acts of protest at appropriate locations; I have seen little knitted droplets shaped to represent water, hanging from trees in a town threatened by big energy; I have camped in the mud with 300 others because it was worth it for the opportunity to share plans, resources, humour and determination;  I have been amongst a mass of Anonymous-masked others taking to the streets because they ARE our streets and I have sat in deep conversation with a ‘Knitting Nanna’ from Australia who travelled across the world to help inspire and charge those facing a shared fight with a hugely powerful industry.

Deciding to do something about the wrongs you see is an individual choice 

~ but a universal obligation

Remember that scene in that movie where the angry newsman finally loses his ability to put up with the masquerade any longer and screams: “I’m mad as hell and I’m not gonna take it!” I had this surge within me in October2011 – my own, personal ‘enough-is-bloody-enough’ moment brought on by bailouts and cutbacks that were so absurd - I felt it a huge insult to ask us to swallow it. 

Because our government isn’t OURS, it can watch the suffering of those facing ATOS assessments that de-humanise them beyond comprehension – all under the guise of weeding out the tiny, tiny fraction that are not legit; it can steal away OUR NHS that we and our parents and their parents paid for dutifully, imagining it would be our legacy, that the taxes and NI contributions might ensure it; it can turn a blind eye to the desperate needs within our communities for investment in the things that matter like respectful, dignified care for our elders, a more generous teacher-to-pupil ratio for our young and a way of meeting our energy needs that doesn’t sacrifice our health and well-being.

Today... is a good day to become the activist you choose to be

You are NEEDED x

Democracy doesn't look like this...

Every generation was in evidence at the event in Trafalgar Square, individuals as well as groups including Anonymous; People's Unity;  those fighting to survive on newly slashed disability benefits; mothers calling, imploring and pleading for the return of their children who are in the 'care' system; those hit by cruel cuts to benefits or additions to cost like the bedroom tax; lots of gorgeous faces I know from the tents at the steps of St Paul's during Occupythe London Stock Exchange; environmental activists, tax justice activists’ defenders of the NHS and those who, through social media like Facebook and Twitter... came to find their own way to share a desire for change to the way we are governed. We were not masses... but we were representative and numerous.

Everyone was there for a reason and each of us must have been questioning if we truly live in a democracy; as the female police officer stopped me and held me in place, it confirmed what I already surmised - THIS is NOT what democracy looks like. She had no cause and no right to stop me or anyone else on this perfectly peaceful walk from Trafalgar Square to Parliament and back; NO weapons, NO threats, NO militant groups- just people who can't get themselves heard in any other way.

Since 15 October 2011 I have been to quite a few events (demonstrations/protests etc don't really describe these gatherings)... and on EVERY one, it has been the same sense of 'them & us' with the London police. THEY come looking for trouble and end up ensuring it by their behaviour towards us.

Where is MY police protection? Why aren't THEY looking to facilitate my RIGHT to protest ...and ensuring aggressive behaviour is minimised by contributing to the atmosphere with co-operative, polite, respectful actions? I and those I had the honour to walk beside on 4th May 2013 in London... are NOT criminals and do NOT deserve to be treated as if we are.

Here is an insight into the lunacy of this common method of policing our democratic right to protest... I asked the police woman who was stopping my progress, why she was and she said: "you have to stay here" - I replied that I didn't want to and would like to carry on walking ...and then asked if there was a specific law or reason to stop me. She said she was stopping me under 'section 3' - I HAD to ask what this meant as she didn't say any more (must have assumed I was well-aquatinted with this sort of legal definition). She said it was because there was:

"...the possibility I might be going to commit a crime"

Let me just mention at this point that aside from being a five-foot grandma without a weapon... I was wearing a big pink sheet and a smile. There was no logic to her behaviour and her attitude was rude, dictatorial and aggressive - mine was polite, friendly and peaceable. Thankfully those of us there sort of propelled forward so that it wasn't just me breaking the police line that was attempting to kettle us ...more of a gentle yet sufficient surge.

The kettling attempts by the police kept happening over and over in the few hours from gathering and walking, to disbursing - YET there wasn't a single incident that called for kettling. My sister (also wearing a pink sheet and lovely smile) suggested to a young officer that it would make more sense to just let us get on as we would eventually finish walking, carrying signs, expressing our concerns and generally trying to make our demands of OUR democracy. He actually looked somewhat sympathetic for a moment. We understand that the police will be about at events ...but there was NO need at all, at ANY stage to kettle.

When they kept stopping us, surrounding us, herding us, rushing vehicles and manpower upon us... they made us angry, they made us certain and they made us more determined than ever to fight for our lost rights in this misshapen democracy.

The Unwelcome Gift

Went last night to a terrifyingly informative talk by Dr Mariann Lloyd Smith in Lancaster - addressing concerns about chemicals and byproducts used and produced by the shale gas industry (fracking).  I was also scheduled to speak so wrote a piece to read - then ended up not reading it as it was more rewarding to just speak about the evening and incorporate what I recalled of what I'd written, which focused on how it is to become an 'activist'. This is what I would have read:

~~x~~

The Unwelcome Gift

Good evening - my name is Tina Rothery and I am with Residents' Action on Fylde Fracking. Others here tonight have taken us through the issues surrounding unconventional energy... I would like instead to share what it has been to live here and not be an expert; just a concerned mother, grandmother and resident.

Tonight you received an 'Unwelcome Gift' - the truth about Unconventional Energy; I received mine back in early 2012 and before that, was blissfully unaware.

I heard that shale gas was discovered in Lancashire and Cuadrilla were coming to extract it...

I REALLY

Wanted to BELIEVE the glossy industry brochure

Wanted to BELIEVE in the promise of jobs that would come

The investment that would be made in the community

The promise of low gas prices for the NATION

And the assurance that this ‘NATURAL’ gas – would be safe...

...unfortunately - I have written glossy brochures for a living and spotted the tell-tale WRIGGLE-ROOM wording. I wondered why boasts of safety were drowning in ‘maybes’, ‘rarelys’ and ‘unlikelys’ and was left awash with unanswered questions.

I looked for evidence from people actually living with the effects of this industry: online in the local media of towns in America, Canada and Australia; the Reader Comments were very telling, very real in their wording.

The words matter & the delivery matters ~ these are indicators of non-glossy, bare-naked truth

I looked to professionals within the energy industry and academics who were speaking out of the risk:

Presentations that were informed, questioning, full of personal knowledge and passion; experts speaking out and telling their evidenced truths.

Research took me to the insurance industry which by its nature MUST be cautious...and it is; they face up to the risks because they have to measure them.

Where shale gas extraction is happening ~ insurance is nearly impossible to obtain

THEN I came to the activists, the anti-fracking community and those looking to alternative forms of energy.WHY didn’t I start here? Because I WANTED to believe ...and I didn't want this struggle ...to be my reality; I didn't want this problem to be as big, as ugly and as downright real as it is. 

My sister and I found a wonderful cluster of people in a hut, in a park in St Annes near Blackpool – collectively they were RAFF (Residents Action on Fylde Fracking) and it was there and then that I fully accepted that I could not walk away and just leave this small but amazing group of individuals to protect me. 

 I have discovered the glorious CAVALRY since then in FRACK-OFF, REAF (Ribble Estuary Against Fracking), BIFF (Britain & Ireland Frack Free), Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the Green Party, FRACK FREE FYLDE, REFRACKTION, Occupy and so many others throughout not just the UK – but the world. 

Alongside others in Australia, America, Canada and Europe, we have co-ordinated to act in unison, we have swapped information, shared resources, sworn and sometimes even cried a little at the insanity of this undertaking...

I find myself in the best of company ~ for the worst of reasons

For those fresh to the subject, tonight you received the unwelcome gift of truth... and I am genuinely sorry.

Once you know the reality of the threat, once you see beyond the WRIGGLE-ROOM wording of the glossy brochures and political promises - it is impossible to UN-know it.

It is impossible to put down and walk away because if you do:

-you accept that up to 65% of our agricultural land in the UK, may be at risk

-you accept that you will put your health in the hands of corporate interest

-you accept the potential industrialisation and ruin of communities

-you accept a future that although unclear – is certain to include more earthquakes, vast quantities of hard-to-dispose-of waste, threats to our water supplies and long-term, damaging effects on land, livestock and people.

For those who DIDN'T put down the unwelcome gift of truth when they received it... and went on to generously share it with others - I am eternally grateful for your courage and determination.

Along the way, the truths have continued to be revealed as I unwrap this; information that many – certainly me – were unaware of... like when they tell you that fracking isn’t as bad as coal mining for risks... well I didn’t know there were that many risks with coal mining because the coal mining industry wasn’t letting us know when things went wrong. 

Just like the shale gas industry is avoiding sharing the harms by using PR companies to write the story and ensuring gagging orders are put on those who are harmed; in exchange for access to water - and that court case documents are locked away.

This ISN’T conspiracy, it is tragic truths and if we don’t act now, in some distant future a glossy brochure will emerge that explains how some other harmful form of energy extraction, is nowhere near as bad as fracking was. 

We CAN’T let that be the future for our children and if we don’t stand now – they will have to ...and the picture will be even uglier by then.

Thank you for your kind attention

~~x~~

*please act by looking further into this unwelcome gift and doing whatever you personally can to raise awareness in your community, tell your MP and Councillors you don't want this, join with others, sign up for newsletters, march if you want to, devise your own opposition or unite with others because now you have the truth, there is no going back.