Groups host Hands Across Our Land event Aug. 18

Friends of Augusta and Augusta County Alliance announced their participation in a national day of action, Hands Across Our Land. Hands Across Our Land is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League and was first held last year.

These two groups are planning an action on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 2158 Deerfield Valley Road in Deerfield at 11:30am.

“Grassroots groups across the nation hold actions in their local communities,” said Hands Across Our Land Coordinator Sharon Ponton, “as a symbol of solidarity in the fight communities are facing all over our country against the continued use of fossil fuels.  From fracking to fracking waste, coal ash disposition to pipelines and LNG facilities to sea level rise, citizens are being forced to face contamination of their water resources, destruction of their forests, and loss of private property.”  Ponton continued, “It is critical our elected officials understand we will not stand idly by and become sacrifice zones for a greedy industry which refuses to change its business plan to renewable, clean energy. These communities deserve healthy, safe environments for their families to live and thrive.”