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Aotearoa Is Not For Sale:Anti-fracking protest in Wellington
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale: Anti-fracking protest in Wellington
by Anne Russell
May 8,
2012
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Around 100 people marched around various locations in Wellington today to protest against fracking. The demonstration was part of the week of actions planned by the Aotearoa Is Not For Sale hikoi, which drew 5-6,000 protesters to Parliament last Friday.
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Demonstrators have mobilised against fracking, a process of oil and gas extraction, because it can increase the likelihood of earthquakes and contribute to water pollution. The latter is a particular concern for hikoi members who have come down from various parts of the North Island, as they rely on clean water to produce food.
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Destinations on the march included the Ministry of Economic Development, the mineral sector collective Straterra, and the Brazilian Embassy. The latter was a target due to the Brazilian semi-public company Petrobras, which has been involved in deep-sea oil drilling around the East Cape. Although Straterra’s CEO had discussions with the protesters, no one from the Brazilian embassy was visible.
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The protest was rather more musical than many, with the group Mountain Chain performing their anti-fracking song Deep Down.
Straterra CEO Chris Baker agreed to talk with a few protesters, who were concerned about how the process of fracking would impact on their land and food resources.
Gisborne District Councillor Manu Caddie gave background on Petrobras’ poor mining record outside the Brazilian embassy. The company is responsible both for unsafe working conditions, resulting in several workers' deaths, and negative environmental impacts.
ENDS
Alastair Thompson
Scoop Publisher
Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.
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