The Rolling March has begun!

The Rolling March to Stop the Pipeline is all about building enthusiasm, awareness, and making a statement so loud that it will carry us to Boston on July 30th. Along we way, we're carrying a pipe that holds a petition with over 10,000 signatures calling for Massachusetts legislators to ban new "fracked gas" pipelines and to champion sustainable energy. We're looking to add signatures and stir up conversation along the way. We're hoping that the media will follow our efforts, and stir up conversation at a higher level.

Enjoying the vistas in Richmond while carrying the pipe "baton

Sunday, July 6th, was a beautiful day to kick off the March in Richmond. Hilltop Orchards hosted "Fossil Fuel Independence Day," where a crowd of about 150 gathered to talk, listen to rousing speakers, and to walk. There were people from as far east as Pepperell, MA and as far west as Canaan, NY. Someone from Kinder Morgan came, but he stayed quiet and opted not to walk with us. As we walked, many people honked and gave us the "thumbs up" in support. 

Marchers set off from Hilltop Orchard

Richmond is in a little different situation from most of the rest of Massachusetts, as there is an existing easement that already has 3 pipelines--this would add a fourth. We passed the existing easement several times, a wide swath cut through the trees in the hills, with orange-capped markers highlighting the location of each of the three pipes. The fourth pipe would be added beside the others, requiring an additional 25 feet to be permanently cleared.

Marchers pass the existing pipeline easement

Yesterday (July 7th), a crowd of about 40 gathered in Pittsfield for a "stand-in" rally against the pipeline. There, the baton was passed from Melanie Masdea of Richmond to Cheryl Rose of Dalton. 

Photo by Rose Wessel

The Pittsfield/ Dalton stretch was completed by bicycle. Cyclists with "Stop the Pipeline" messages on their helmets rode from Pittsfield to Alpine Solar to pass the baton to Windsor.

This morning, Tuesday July 8th, a group of walkers walked across Windsor from Alpine Solar down Route 9 to the West Cummington Parish House. More walkers joined in a few miles later. Many cars honked and gave us the "thumbs up" sign. One guy raised his hands asking "what pipeline?" but didn't stop to hear an answer--hopefully he remembers us and reads a newspaper or hears someone talking. Another car did stop, and had plenty of questions about the pipeline, surveying, FERC, etc. This walk can be a chance to educate.

Some of the Windsor Marchers gather in front of Alpine Solar

Tomorrow, Wednesday July 9th, walkers from Cummington will gather at the West Cummington Parish House at 8:00 am (coffee served!); depart at 8:30, walking to Earthdance (all are welcome to continue on through Plainfield or return to the Parish House to disperse). 

A Plainfield contingent will pick up the baton at Earthdance around 9:30 and walkers will congretate at the Plainfield Town Hall for a 10:00 am walk about 5 miles to the Ashfield line.  

Find frequently updated schedules of the march through all towns at www.nofrackedgasinmass.org/rolling-march or on the Facebook event: Rolling March to Stop the Pipeline.