www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/gre...er-1000-take-6791027
1,000 take to the streets for biggest ever fracking protest
They gathered in Piccadilly Gardens where there was a carnival atmosphere before the crowd then marched through the streets Cathedral Gardens holding placards and chanting
Around 1,000 anti-fracking campaigners marched through Manchester city centre to protest against the controversial gas drilling at Barton Moss.
They gathered in Piccadilly Gardens where there was a carnival atmosphere before the crowd then marched through the streets Cathedral Gardens holding placards and chanting.
Police said around 1,000 people, double the expected amount, attended the march which was entirely peaceful with no reported arrests or incidents.
Martin Porter from Frack Free Greater Manchester, one of the organisers of the event, said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic turnout.
“There was a massive variety of people here, of different ages and from different backgrounds.
“There are both local campaigners and people from all over the country who don’t want to see this in their area.
“Barton Moss is really the frontline of what is a massive global issue. We have had our moment in the sun today but anywhere could be next.
“It was also about raising awareness of the issue and the evidence is that the more people find out about fracking, the more they oppose it.
A judge on Monday is expected to rule on whether campaigners at the Barton Moss protest camp should be evicted from the site.
The protesters have vowed to continue their protest against the drilling even if the ruling goes against them - and have hinted they will simply move their camp elsewhere.
Mr Porter said: “It is a big day. If we are ordered to evict we will leave with not so much as a piece of rubbish left behind but the campaign will go on.
“It may be the camp moves somewhere else, perhaps down the road.”
Anette Wright, 44. from the Manchester Trades’ Council said: “It was a really big demonstration and is a great indication of the strength of opinion.
“This is a huge issue for our region and the view of the trade union movement is that all fracking should be suspended until it has proved to be safe.”
Dan Evans, who has been living at the Barton Moss camp since mid-November, said: “The mood in the camp is really good and we’re delighted at the amount of support here which is obviosuly growing.”
After the event, Chief Superintendent John O’Hare from Greater Manchester Police said: “We worked closely with the organisers for today’s march and it is a testament to them that the event passed with minimum disruption to our city.
“Around 1,000 people joined the march and did so in the spirit of peaceful protest to further their cause.”
