From Lancaster Against Pipelines (http://www.wearelancastercounty.org/):
The gas industry has officially declared war on Pennsylvanians who dare challenge their “right” to take our land, poison our water, and foul our air. Adding insult to injury, our own judges and law enforcement officials seem all too eager to assist them.
As many of you know, retired schoolteacher Ellen Gerhart (Huntingdon County, PA) was arrested at her own home last week for resisting the clear-cutting of her woods for the forced installation of the Mariner East 2 pipeline. During the hearing as Houston-based Energy Transfer Partners (of DAPL infamy) argued its case against her, Ellen was treated like a violent felon: shackled in leg irons, handcuffed, and shadowed by a guard. The judge found her guilty and immediately sentenced her to 2-6 months in prison. His sentencing statement was prepared in advance.
Shock and outrage alone are not an adequate response to the real life dystopia we’re facing in PA. The time for action is now. The gas industry’s stranglehold on our state will only be broken through our collective willingness to sacrifice dearly and act boldly.
LAP will follow the Gerharts’ lead in how best to support Ellen in this critical moment, so be on the look-out for updates.
In the meantime, you can read more on Ellen’s case here in Common Dreams.
Follow Ellen’s story on Camp White Pine’s Facebook page. Click here to contribute to her legal fund.
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