Though Piece
These British trespassers over the last 18 months are a great example of environmental extremism and media manipulation, with a misguided sense of moral rectitude. Using name-calling, populist rhetoric, and demonization of fracking, these trespassers—English, Canadians or Americans—are nothing more than scofflaws and law breakers. From bad manners to environmental terrorism to tree sitting, the instinct to “leave it in the ground” or “restore it” is nothing more than proof of H.L. Mencken’s quote: “The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” Or, for that matter, George Carlin’s: “And the greatest arrogance of all: Save the planet. Save the planet, we don’t even know how to take care of ourselves yet.”
Even worse, some energy and communication activists have taken to picketing the homes and families of federal agencies executives and private sector leaders. It is being treated like it is morally, legalized stalking. Civility is nowhere in sight.
Cuadrilla files injunction to stop trespassing at shale gas site
An injunction hearing will be held on May 31 at Manchester’s High Court District Registry. The injunction would replace and extend an existing injunction at the site and surrounding farmland.
The proposed injunction would prohibit unlawful obstruction of the site’s entrance, and disruption of the firm’s supply chain by, for example, blockading supplier properties, Cuadrilla said.
“Whilst we fully respect the right to peaceful and legal protest, unfortunately over the last 18 months we have seen an extraordinarily high level of unlawful protest activity,” Cuadrilla’s Chief Executive Francis Egan said in a statement.
“Such unlawful conduct cannot be permitted to continue, and we hope that if we can secure this injunction it will deter this unlawful behaviour which is reckless and continues to cost local taxpayers millions of pounds,” he said.
Cuadrilla has planning permission to drill up to four exploratory horizontal wells in the shale rock underlying its site at Preston New Road.
Reporting by Nina Chestney; editing by Jason Neely
