Massive Shale Gas protest in Moncton today

Speeches by local doctors adds a new element of seriousness to protests 

MONCTON - An estimated crowd of 400 to 500 anti-shale gas protesters marched and rallied today in Moncton, as the citizenry continues to push for an outright ban on the industry in New Brunswick.

Under a brilliant sunny sky, people of all ages slathered on sunscreen, and gathered their signs in the parking lot at Highfield Square before heading out to march. Babies in strollers squinted while taking in the scene, toddlers wearing sunhats waddled around waiting for the show to get on the road, and dogs pulled at their leash. A few politicians were in the crowd, including Liberal Opposition leader, Victor Boudreau.

Coming out of Highfield, about 100 people were carrying placards and shouting slogans. Others blew whistles, played gazoo's or banged pots in solidarity with the citizen movement swelling the streets of Montreal daily.

Late-comers joined along the route as the protest picked up steam heading onto Main Street. Pamphleteers in yellow safety vests fanned out to people watching from the sidelines, giving them literature and CD's on the environmental effects of the shale gas industry.

The red and blue flashing lights of Codiac RCMP cruisers escorted the march through the streets. Several officers were posted along the route, while others directed traffic. Although many were working the protest, police were generally relaxed and talked with locals.

As marchers approached the City Hall commons, a crowd of about two hundred were already there waiting to link up. Melting into each other, the numbers swelled to about 300, as more flocked to the site before speeches got underway.

First on the dais was Maliseet Elder, Alma Brooks, who recently returned from a trip to the UN where issues on the topic of treaties and water rights were discussed. Several members of the province-wide shale gas caucus also spoke, representing their regional group.

But differentiating this protest from others was the participation of local doctors, who made their feelings on the subject known at the mic.

Dr. Elizabeth Massarelli, a family physician in Sackville, read a statement from Dr. Anick Pelletier, president of the NB College of Family Physicians. The letter outlined physician concerns for the health and well-being of New Brunswickers if fracking becomes a reality in New Brunswick.

Moncton emergency room doctor Angie LeGresley (video below) discussed taking it upon herself to learn about how unconventional shale gas hydraulic fracking could affect her patients.

Mt. Allison professor of geography and environment, Brad Walters, also spoke to the crowd on the deployment of technological methods of extracting shale gas. The new methods are being used before risks to groundwater and the human population are fully assessed.

Rounding out significant speakers was New Brunswick CUPE President, Daniel Legere, who pledged union support to the movement against shale gas in New Brunswick.

A demographic that came out in high numbers for the protest was the under-30 group. Up to now, it seems it didn't have a lot of interest, or weren't informed on the shale gas issue. But since organizers of the protest were under 30, it's likely they pulled in their age group for the cause. In the video below, two under thirty's show what they learned at the protest today.

Although they didn't speak at the mic, Liberal Opposition members from the Moncton area were in the crowd talking to protesters. Leader Victor Boudreau, Liberal Environment critic Denis Landry, Moncton East MLA Chris Collins and Rogersville-Kouchibouguac representative Bertrand LeBlanc, all milled about throughout the two-hour protest.

In the video below, Collins relates what constituents bring up on the shale gas topic, and what the Liberals have learned from them.

Liberal leadership candidate Mike Murphy (left) was also on hand, but in contrast to his fellow Liberals, was low key during his appearance.

Shortly before 1 pm, the protest wound down. The crowd gradually faded into the Moncton streets, with some lingering to discuss frustration with turnout numbers.

Over 14,000 had been invited to attend according to the Facebook site established for the protest. Just over 1100 signed up to go, but less than half that actually went.

A few blamed the RCMP for closing off the street in front of City Hall to traffic, limiting the opportunity for locals happening by to join the event.

At a previous anti-shale gas protest at City Hall last year, the police didn't block traffic while the protest went on. But since organizers told police large numbers were expected today, they closed off the street.

Some attendees were upset when the Hampton group organizing the lawsuit to bring an injunction against shale gas in New Brunswick was turned away from the mic. It was seen as a way to spread the word on the lawsuit and perhaps take some donations. Organizers, however, disliked the idea of the protest being used for monetary gain and so disallowed the group on the dais.

Before some left City Hall commons, they waved to the RCMP security camera set up inside the municipal building to monitor the crowd.

Photo: Greg Cook