What began as a joint action between grassroots protectors of their communities and land regarding the proposed Atlantic Coast pipeline has taken on new life as groups across five states are considering participation in an action being called Hands Across Our Land.
“With the help of Beyond Extreme Energy and 350 Central Virginia, and through social media, spreading the word about Hands Across Our Land, we are talking to groups in five states about holding events in their communities on Aug. 18,” said Free Nelson organizer Sharon Ponton.
The action will be held in local communities who wish to take a stand to protect their land and communities from the unnecessary and unwanted onslaught of new natural gas infrastructure being forced on them by energy companies more interested in shareholder profit, than private property rights, or the health and safety of families in the path of these proposed projects.
“Citizens, small business owners, and farmers from every walk of life are standing up for their heritage and culture in rural America. We are united in our goal to stop the industrialization of our properties and communities by energy companies who seek to profit by stealing our land through the misuse of eminent domain,” said Ponton.
Free Nelson is in the process of recruiting county coordinators along the paths of both the proposed Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley Pipelines, as well as other communities in Maryland and Pennsylvania who are facing the same issues in their communities. Local actions are already being planned in Nelson County, Augusta County, the George Washington National Forest, Roanoke, and Montgomery County in Virginia, as well as in Monroe and Greenbrier counties in West Virginia.
“Dominion, Duke, Piedmont Natural Gas, AGL Resources, NextEra, Williams, EQT, and others would build their pipelines, compressor stations and export terminals within feet of our homes, destroy thousands of acres of forested land, pollute our water supply, wreak havoc on our local economies, degrade our national treasures by crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, and the pristine George Washington and Monongahela National Forests, as well as disturb and or destroy important Native American historical areas. All of this destruction would occur in the name of profit for the few on the backs of thousands of private property owners,” said Ponton.
Hands Across Our Land is designed to illustrate the strong grassroots support to protect rural communities and those comunities’ way of life.
To participate in the action, contact Free Nelson at [email protected].
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