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Indybay Feature

Fracking in California Counties: Activists Sing Out NO!

by R. Robertson
Land spanning Monterey, San Benito and Fresno counties, lies on what is known as the Monterey Shale, a formation of underground minerals. Oil and gas companies are looking to lease the underground mineral rights from the US government so they can start hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as "fracking". Today environmental activists the Raging Grannies and friends brought the issue to the attention of Palo Alto pedestrians with songs and signs against fracking.
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About a hundred protests to ban fracking coordinated by nonprofit Food & Water Watch were held worldwide today. In northern and central California concern about fracking is heightened because come December the federal government is scheduled to hold an auction to lease out parcels of land to oil and gas companies in the counties of Monterey, San Benito, and Fresno . (A lease sale by the US government of the land on the Monterey Shale was held last year as well.)

To bring awareness to the environmental damage caused by fracking, the Raging Grannies performed original anti-fracking songs with one of the Grannies on ukulele at the intersection of University and Emerson in downtown Palo Alto today. They were joined by fellow activists from the Occupy movement; together they handed out informational fliers in the busy downtown area after leading folks passing through the nearby the plaza in a sing-along.

The Raging Grannies reject the multi-million dollar public relations campaign by big oil and gas companies and urge local, state, and national officials to reject fracking as it endangers the environment including the habitats of animals and human drinking water. In California this is a special concern as there is evidence that fracking increases the likelihood of earthquakes.
§Costumes and signs
by R. Robertson
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The Raging Grannies were ready for a hoe-down, as some of their original songs were written to downhome folk tunes including Sweet Betsy from Pike. One of the Grannies wore a chicken costume, another carried a rubber chicken. Much of the land above the Monterey Shale is farm land.
§This chicken is not happy
by R. Robertson
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Unhappy about fracking, the chicken clucked sadly.
§passing out fliers
by R. Robertson
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sharing song lyrics too
§Helping passersby sing along
by R. Robertson
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§Fracking has got to Go
by R. Robertson
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sandwich board sign
§"They came from Santa Clara with a banjo on their knee"
by R. Robertson
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Thank you Jim and Granny April for joining our gig!
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