OSFR Sponsors Huge Dunnellon Demonstration

Dozens of water protectors came to Dunnellon, Florida to help stop Sabal Trail.  The group met at the Walmart parking lot and interacted with the passers-by on a busy highway, and then marched to the small park by the City Hall on the river.  The crowd listened to several speakers and then, about 1:30 returned to the parking lot.

Several police observed but did not intervene, as the march plan was presented and discussed with city authorities beforehand, and there was no confrontation or hostilities.  The weather was brisk.

People from all over the state, as well as Georgia came to speak against Sabal Trail and especially to let the citizens of Dunnellon know that the pipeline is here and that it presents a needless danger so that a few can make a profit.

 
Tracy Marinello   Fla. Defenders of the Environment       Billie Jo Benedict, OSFR  These two are loyal workers who deserve our thanks and a medal.

Pam Smith                                                                         Janet Barrow, personally went to D.C. to fight the FERC

OSFR sponsored this event and was present with a table set up and with many members in attendance.  Several other environmental groups were represented by various members present, including WWALS, Sierra Club, Florida Defenders of the Environment, Putnam County Environmental Council,and others.

Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, of Sierra Club, but still an OSFR member.  Here the FERC still lurks in the background.

Merrillee is a very popular speaker, and is much in demand and can draw up an amazing amount of information when requested.

As the pipeline progresses south, camps are being set up in those areas.  Water is Life camp is now headquartered in Dunnellon, and a compressor station is slated for construction nearby.

Harriet Heywood, John Quarterman, and Maxine Conner, steady and relentless workers for the environment.

OSFR is to be commended for a very successful, educational and peaceful event with a huge turn-out, and we thank all those who took the time and effort to attend.