Second in a series
Re “Fracking Voices of Protest”
Words turn to gold in the roaring furnace of heat that often accompanies street protests, and here is the second round of what Ban Fracking activists were saying Tuesday afternoon as they paced in front of City Hall:
Gary Gless, arch environmental activist: “The state does not know enough about fracking to say that it is safe. Until that time, I think a fracking ban is in order.”
Mr. Gless said he only would accept regulations instead of a ban if state officials proved to his satisfaction that “fracking is safe. That is a very long shot. The demonstration that we are doing today is a good start toward getting the governor’s attention. People are finding out what is happening to their lives and their homes. They are getting upset, and that should send a strong message to the state.”
Mr. Gless said he has been aware of the threat caused by fracking for five years. “I have been trying to get more people informed and aware of the contamination across the U.S.,” he said. “That is causing more of an uproar among the people.”
Six Years
He said it has been learned that Plains Exploration & Production Co., PXP, has been using the drilling method of fracking in the Baldwin Hills Oil Field “at least since 2006.”
Damien Goodmon, Crenshaw neighborhood activist: “I am here because my community’s health is in danger, not just my community but the broader region because of the earthquakes caused by the controversial process called fracking.
“It is inexcusable, it is unacceptable that in the middle of a seismic area of a major urban center like Los Angeles that this process is being allowed. It needs to be banned today. We need action by our local elected officials to do so as it has been done in other parts of the country.
“There are goliaths like there is no other – we are talking about the oil industry. Hopefully, common sense will overcome our legislators and we will be able to get them to understand this:
“The consequences of allowing this controversial process are far greater than the benefits that the oil companies will bring them.”
Mr. Goodmon said few residents of the Crenshaw community are aware of what is regarded as an impending peril.
“It is good that we have a broad coalition of people,” he said. “But within the Crenshaw community, there could be a greater understanding of it. I think that will occur as soon as we get a better response from our elected officials.
“Once elected officials make an issue of this, they will quickly understand the danger here.”
