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Anti-fracking activists celebrate at SOTS

Jan 22, 2015 7:10 am
As officials filed in to hear Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address Wed., Jan. 21, more than 500 anti-fracking activists from across New York and from Pennsylvania held a victory rally on the concourse of Empire State Plaza. The party then moved across the street to the Albany Hilton. The demonstrators thanked Cuomo for the Dec 17 announcement that, after more than six years of deliberation, High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing would be banned statewide due to science and health concerns. The decision was based on the findings and opinion of state Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker. At the Hilton Wednesday, leaders of the anti-fracking movement spoke about the importance of this step for the whole nation, the opportunities for new renewable energy sources, and identifying the next issues facing the movement in New York. Speakers spoke of how the potential construction of pipelines, compressor stations and liquefied natural gas export terminals in New York would support fracking in other states. Many of the speakers acknowledged how effective the advocacy of concerned citizens and communities was in influencing the fracking ban decision, thereby making a positive difference for future generations. Cuomo made no mention the ban in the State of the State speech.

PLAY (5:10) Wes Gillingham, co-founder and Program Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, at the Albany Hilton during the 2015 State of the State address.

Other audio:

Music performances:

PLAY Richie Stearns (Horse Flies, Donna the Buffalo, Natalie Merchant) "You Are My Sunshine" (1:20).
PLAY Youth Against Fracking Choir "You've Been Fracked" (2:30).
PLAY Josh Fox performs "Star Spangled Banner" on banjo (2:04).

Speakers:

PLAY Wenona Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch (6:30).
PLAY Elizabeth Betta Broad, Energy and Climate Program Manager, Catskill Mountainkeeper (5:06).
PLAY Dr. Sandra Steingraber, New Yorkers Against Fracking, biologist, author, cancer survivor (10:20).
PLAY Julia Walsh, Frack Action (6:50).
PLAY Renee Vogelsang, Frack Action (1:19).
PLAY Isaac Silberman-Gorn, Citizen Action (3:05).
PLAY David Braun, Americans Against Fracking (4:05).
PLAY Josh Fox, director "Gasland" and "Gasland 2" (13:50).

All audio recorded and produced by WGXC volunteer Sam Sebren.
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