A Beach Outing for Environmental Activists

A mixed group of community activists gathered at Durand Beach Saturday afternoon to promote the use of clean renewable energy sources and denounce activities such as hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as “hydrofracking”).  The event, which was advertised as a protest against off-shore drilling was initially set up by the local activist group the Raging Grannies.  Though the Raging Grannies did not come out in large numbers, activists took part in a slightly different, international event called “Hands Across the Sand” which focused on more broad based environmental issues.

                Low numbers did not dampen spirits of the activists though.  Ron Johnson, a proclaimed “Granny Groupie” did not feel bad about the lack of Grannies that came to the Hands Across the Sand event.  Johnson cited that there were many who came out in force to carry out the “Raging Campaigning” tactic earlier in the week when there was a demonstration that aimed at getting Maggie Brooks to make public her position on proposed Medicare cuts.  He said “you just can’t score big every day after day.”

                Though they did not stay long, the group of environmentalists made sure to get some activities in during the hot afternoon.  The one Raging Granny in attendance led the group in a song entitled “Radical Environmentalists” which discusses environmentalism in a familiar tune.  After singing the group started discussing different political topics including environmental issues, national politics and international affairs.

                When asked to be, the activists were very on point.  Katheryn Caldwell, a local activist, feels that hydrofracking and other industries that promote the use of fossil fuels will be a detriment to the environment.  Neither Caldwell nor Johnson was impressed by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) report saying that it would be alright for hydrofracking to occur in most of New York excluding the Syracuse and New York City watersheds.  Johnson does not believe the DEC is being truthful about its views on hydrofracking saying that the DEC’s view “is attributed to the strength of the lobbyists in New York City and Syracuse.”  Caldwell disagreed and simply said “I don’t believe anything [the DEC] say.”