Anti-Pipeline Group Seeks Members to Stage Massive Protest

Photo Credit: Facebook

Residents in Boston’s West Roxbury neighborhood plan to do whatever takes in order to prevent a natural gas pipeline from being built. If the federal government doesn’t shut the plans down, local protestors plan on doing so.

Digging has not started in West Roxbury, but a branch of Spectra Energy Corporation, Alqonquin Gas Transmission, filed suit in federal court last week. Algonquin is attempting to expedite the construction process my making Boston grant them the right-of-way to dig under Washington and Grove Street.

Local politicians and residents are strictly opposed to the pipeline project. They say is presents a major safety issue for those living in the area because Algonquin has plans to lay its pipeline right next to the West Roxbury crushed stone quarry. Mayor Marty Walsh, among others, requested construction be delayed until an appeal meeting is granted.

Construction on the pipeline has begun in Dedham amid a string of protests. Selectman Mike Butler was arrested on June 15 for single-handedly attempting to hinder work crews.

Resist the Pipeline is a protest group ready to stand up for what they feel is right. Here’s their call to recruit fellow protesters:

We are in the process of developing a nonviolent direct action scenario and code of conduct. Our goal will be to respectfully block the construction of the pipeline by sitting in front of construction equipment. We will be completely transparent with local police and city officials, giving them advance notice of our intentions and planned scenario.

Those who wish to participate in nonviolent direct action must take a “direct action and legal rights training that we offer (at no cost), and agree to a code of conduct that will include:

• An attitude of respect to police and local agencies (they are our allies –our conflict is with Spectra and FERC)
• No destruction or damage of public or private property
• An attitude and tone of nonviolence
• Cooperation with arrest, if warned.

The group says they are looking for folks to participate in legal vigils and other actions of witness to protest the pipeline. The also say they support the risk of arrest through nonviolent refusal to obey the law.

The Pipeline is slated to run through Westwood, West Roxbury and Dedham.