Updated: Industry Backers Counter Anti-Fracking Rally
WARREN, Ohio -- The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber this morning released more details about a counter-demonstration by supporters of the oil and gas industry set for this afternoon following the “Don’t Frack Ohio 2” protest set for 1:30 p.m. in Courthouse Square.
Notice of the pro-industry demonstration was first posted on Facebook by Jennifer Saul Campbell of the Downtown Warren Events, and reported by BusinessJournalDaily.com on this morning's Daily Headlines email blast.
A media advisory subsequently issued by Tony Paglia, vice president of governmental affairs for the Regional Chamber, headlined the event as "Standing Up for Jobs -- Pro-Economic Development Forces United in Support of Natural Gas Exploration." According to Paglia's advisory, "The effort was organized by the Mahoning Valley Coalition for Job Growth and Investment. The gathering consists of business people, labor, landowners, officeholders and economic development groups who collectively support the jobs, economic prosperity and energy independence aspects of local shale oil and gas exploration and production."
Industry supports are urged to gather at from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Log Cabin across from Courthouse Square. Remarks will follow at 2:30 p.m. Among the speakers will be the Regional Chamber's Eric Planey, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and Don Crane, president of the Western Reserve Building Trades Council.
The Coalition for Job Growth was formed in April by a diverse group of business, political, religious and labor leaders. Its initial goal was the defeat of a charter amendment on Youngstown’s May primary ballot, which would have attempted to ban hydraulic fracturing inside city limits.
The “Don’t Frack Ohio 2” rally is sponsored by a number of opposition groups. States Campbell on her Facebook post calling for a counter-protest, “For the most part, these are folks who don’t live in our Valley [and] don’t understand our challenges and our potential.”
Opposition groups include 350.org, Concerned Citizens Ohio, Food & Water Watch, Center for Health, Environment & Justice, FrackFree Mahoning, Network for Oil & Gas Accountability and Protection, Communities for Safe and Sustainable Energy, Progress Ohio, Ohio Student Environmental Coalition, Appalachia Resists! and Faith Communities Together for Fracking Awareness.
Among those scheduled to speak are Teresa Mills from the Center for Health, Environment & Justice; Bill McKibben, author, activist and co-founder of 350.org; Donna Carver, a registered nurse; and Gwen Fischer, a resident of Portage County and co-founder of Concerned Citizens Ohio.
The opposition groups say fracking regulations in the Ohio biennial budget Gov. John R. Kasich signed June 30 open up Ohio’s municipal landfills to more radioactive waste and endanger the health of communities.
Today’s rally appears to be a run-up to what opposition groups are promoting as No Fracking Way America’s “International Gathering” Aug. 23-25 at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park in Garrettsville. This event is seeking 2,000 people to be grouped in camps set up by anti-fracking organizations.
States the webside promoting the "International Gathering, its purpose is to “unite all local, national and international groups who struggle to end the greed of the oil and gas industry and the careless and intentional assault they wage on our global environment and earth's ecosystems.”
Copyright 2013 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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