Over 60 people, many of them from the Hampton area, attended an impromptu demonstration against shale gas development outside the Annual Business Awards Banquet in Apohapqui on October 19th. Premier David Alward and Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup fielded questions and concerns from the demonstrators for about 25 minutes. The opponents expressed concern with devalued properties, weak regulations and the way that the province was treating the Penobsquis residents affected by potash mining and shale gas development.
“The network opposed to shale gas is amazing,” said Carl Wolpin, with Hampton Water First, Quality of Life and Darlings Island Fracking Intervention. “In 24 hours, we were able to call a demonstration and get 60 people. People are really dedicated and unified in their opposition and willingness to commit themselves to stopping shale gas development in the province.”
On October 11th, Hampton Town Council voted against shale gas testing in their community. Over 100 people attended the council meeting while 70 people demonstrated outside the town council meeting. About 40 Hampton high school students held a spontaneous demonstration of their own just prior to the town council meeting in another location where town councillors had to pass before attending the meeting.