Mic Check Against Fracking

This is a shorter video of the ending of the Denton Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on 12-7-11. Every single person who spoke at the meeting opposed the request for an Specific Use Permit for Eagleridge Operating, LLC except the applicant from the company. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the request and an Occupy-style mic check interrupted the closing of the meeting.

(From The Denton Record Chronicle 12-8-11: http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_P%26Z-Web...)

Protesters disrupted a Denton Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday night after commissioners endorsed a permit for a natural gas well site that operated without a city permit for years.

The meeting dissolved into chaos moments after commissioners voted 5-2 for Dallas-based Eagleridge Operating's request for a specific-use permit allowing gas drilling and production across the street from the University of North Texas' Apogee Stadium.

A group of Occupy Denton protesters rose from their seats and, through a call-and-response pattern, shouted a statement opposing the permit and demanding that the city shut down two gas wells operating at the site.

"We refuse to stand by while the air we breathe and the water we drink is poisoned by fracking," they said. "We demand that the city regulations are observed and that violators are denied the right to operate in this city."

The outburst ended when a police officer escorted the lead protester from City Hall's council chambers and others walked out chanting "Shame!" By then, chairman Jay Thomas had adjourned the meeting with an item left on the agenda.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Denton
• fracking
• hydraulic fracturing
• eagleridge operating
• occupy denton
• zoning and planning
• protest
• mic check