Report back: The CB2 Meeting with Spectra & Con Ed Tuesday night's Community Board 2 meeting was, shall we say, spirited. Our thanks to everyone who

Report back: The CB2 Meeting with Spectra & Con Ed

Tuesday night's Community Board 2 meeting was, shall we say, spirited. Our thanks to everyone who came out. As the video of the Q&A shows, this is one highly engaged public. Presentations by Spectra Energy and Con Edison generated intense questions and comments from the public in the packed room, as well as several NYPD.

Sidebar, please: Interestingly, in the sampling of community board meetings that Sane Energy has attended, only those meetings which have been posted to the Occupy Wall Street listservs have garnered a police presence. Or paddy wagons. (And we've been to rowdier community board meetings than Tuesday's.) Reportedly, the order came "from downtown," whatever that's supposed to mean. Over many months, NYPD has treated Occupy the Pipeline's rallies and actions with fairness and respect. Their understanding of the issue is apparent: we've overheard officers explaining to other officers what fracking is (perhaps it's all those hearings they've attended?). And the respect goes both ways: We're familiar with most of the West Village force, and rumor has it that the commanding officer has a special place in his heart for "Kumbya." So we do hope that in the future, "downtown" will mellow out and give democratic freedom of expression the breathing space it requires.

Back to the community board: CB2 has passed multiple resolutions against this pipeline; their opposition to it and fracking is well-established. An announcement in relation to this recent hearing is expected in the coming week; we'll keep you posted.

What next?

Our legal battle is just beginning and needs support. Please consider becoming a member today.

Where are our electeds on this? Unlike Jersey City, where the mayor and now a city councilman have expressed vehement opposition to Spectra, politicos on this side of the river have remained silent. Contact info for all local reps are listed on our action page; Ask them to come out with a statement in support of our fight, and in opposition to Spectra being allowed to get this far with their construction when our lawsuit hasn't even made it to court yet.

"Chasing Ice" Run Extended

balog

If you have not yet seen this doc about National Geographic photographer James Balog's time-lapse record of the receding glaciers, PLEASE go now. The NYC run has been extended through next Thursday. We cannot say enough about this gorgeous and terrifying movie. Put it this way: Chasing Ice is to climate change what Gasland is to fracking: movement inspiring.

SPECIAL DISCOUNT: United for Action and Carbon Squeeze have just announced discounted $9 tickets for the following showings: Saturday, Dec. 8th at 1:15, 3:15, and 5:15 at Film Society Lincoln Center, 144 West 65th St. Mention “Carbon Squeeze” at the box office).

Tuesday, Dec. 11th @7pm: Gasland Screening

Gasland  A film by Josh Fox sm

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and nominated for an Academy Award, Josh Fox's documentary GASLAND propelled the movement against fracking into a national conversation. The filmmaker's mother, Angela Monti Fox (founder of The Mothers Project) and Sane Energy Project will speak. Jefferson Market Library, 425 Avenue of the Americas at Greenwich Avenue just north of 8th Street (map) FREE

Tuesday, Dec. 18th @ 1:45: Important Court Date

Sane Energy Project et al v. Hudson River Park Trust is set for 2:15 before Judge Rakower in Courtroom 327 at 80 Centre Street, just north of Worth Street/Foley Square. This lawsuit was brought against the illegal easement granted to Spectra by the HRPT to run their pipeline across a State park. Attendees are asked to silently and respectfully witness oral arguments. PLEASE RESPECT THE CONVENTIONS OF THE COURT. Disruption or commentary could result in being expelled or adversely influencing the case. Attendees are advised to arrive by 1:45 in order to pass through security.

Tuesday, Dec. 18th @ 6pm: Screening and Celebration

Poster Living Downstream sm

Join us for a year-end celebration of the work that your favorite groups have been doing, and get inspired for the work we have to do next year: INSPIRATION Film Series Presents Living Downstream.

On December 18th, the lawsuit against the HRPT for granting an easement to build the Spectra pipeline goes before a judge. Following our literal day in court, Sane Energy Project, United for Action, and Occupy the Pipeline, invite you to celebrate what we’ve all accomplished in 2012. Snack on some delicious nosh, raise a glass in a toast, and enjoy a video montage of every action created against the Spectra pipeline. Then be inspired by the film, LIVING DOWNSTREAM, the story of how one of the true leaders of our movement, Sandra Steingraber, came to follow in the footsteps of her own personal hero, Rachel Carson.

$10 admission, food and wine toast included.
Tuesday, Dec. 18 @ 6pm, Upstairs, La Nacional 239 West 14th St. (7th and 8th Ave.)
6pm: Refreshments and year-end video montage; 7pm: film and discussion.
Apologies, this venue is not wheelchair accessible.

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