The longest running anti-fracking camp, Upton Community Protection Camp, faces eviction from the 4 December 2015, during the Paris climate talks.

The leader of the Green Party and Wales notes Upton’s significance in The Ecologist.

“The timing of the eviction notice – 4th December – means this is likely to hit the news with particular force. It’s in the middle of the COP21 Paris Climate Talks,” writes Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett.

At a time when we must keep at least two-thirds of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground to avoid increasing climate change, the UK government is pushing forward on fracking.

The Uptown Community Protection Camp, which has been occupying farmland in Chester since April 2014 to protect it from fracking, faces eviction after energy firm, IGas, obtained a possession order.

Eight schools and more than 3,000 residents are within a 2 km radius of the proposed exploratory drilling site, which was granted planning permission in 2010 to be drilled by IGas.

The community group surveyed 1,059 householders and found 85% are against IGas drilling plans, with only 5% in agreement, according to the Guardian.

As well as the locals, Upton Community Protection Camp has received support from luminaries such as Vivienne Westwood who visited the site and Bez from Happy Mondays.

Natalie Bennett promises support from the Green Party for Upton:

“The Upton community has expressed its view – very loudly and clearly – yet it seems neither the drilling company or the government is listening.

I expect to see non-violent resistance to the eviction, and the Green Party – which has always understood that non-violent direct action is sometimes necessary when our democracy fails – will back that.”

The court order says bailiffs can remove everything from 4 pm on 4 December. For ways to help see below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo (above) of frack-free action in Upton Chester on 3 December 2015

Take action!

Upton Community Protection Camp
Camp address: Duttons Lane, off A41, Chester, CH2 2PE

See Upton Community Protection on Facebook for updates and camp provisions wish-list.

Solidarity for Upton Community Protection Friday 4 December 

 

Posted on: December 3, 2015