Students from Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern University, Messiah College, Dickinson College and many other individuals of differing backgrounds are asking for your support for The Lancaster Stand and for environmental and native rights—opposing the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. They have set up a public statement and are circulating it for signatures. They have asked for our help in getting signatures of support at http://climatejustice-emu.weebly.com/the-lancaster-stand.html.
Thanks for considering!
Here is the statement:
We Stand with The Lancaster Stand
We members of Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern University, Messiah College, Dickinson College and many other individual of differing backgrounds sign and release this public statement as a show of support for the Lancaster Stand and for environmental and native rights.
For the past three years, the residents of Lancaster County have been opposing the plans of Transco/Williams and the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline. Unfortunately, their voices have been ignored and the pipeline’s plans are continuing. They aim only to protect their land, water and the safety for future generations. We, signed below, believe that it is necessary for us to stand with them.
If this pipeline is constructed it would destroy countless native artifacts and burial sites, as this land is some of the most significant in all of Pennsylvania in relation to native history as it is within 300 yards of the last Conestoga Indian town and would run directly next to the last Conestoga Indian Chief’s burial site. If it is constructed would cause between $21.3 to $91.6 billions worth of ecological damage (see below for source). If it would break, as already 8 have broken in the first two months of 2017, it would contaminate farmland for countless residents. If it would break it could pollute the water supply for that area. We can not allow for any of this to happen!
We care about our brothers and sisters. We care about those different than us. We care about the Earth we live on. We care about not just today and ourselves, but tomorrow and our entire world. We care about people receiving fair treatment and consideration. We care about peace. We care about making tomorrow a better world for all.
Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to stand up for those being oppressed. To stand up for those being pushed aside and to the bottom of society. We must stand up for those who are not being treated justly.
It is not just enough to disagree quietly and not support Transco/Williams. We must actively support Lancaster. As Desmond Tutu once said, ‘If you are neutral in situation of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Therefore, it is not enough to stay neutral, but to actively stand with those who are oppressed.
Therefore, we, affirm that we Stand with Lancaster Stand and do not support the actions of Transco/Williams and any other institution actively oppressing the residents of Lancaster. This statement does not convey a disregard or disrespect for what the Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline and those siding with them have to say or believe, but it does say that we disagree with what they are doing because it is inhumane and threatens the planet, peace, and every person on it.
We Stand with Lancaster Stand!
*Image Source: http://www.cleanwateraction.org/sites/default/files/images/blog/PA_OandG_AtlanticPipeline_Welcometostand_NB_medium.jpg
*Ecological Damage Source:
http://www.ecowatch.com/atlantic-sunrise-pipeline-2303144277.html
Please send all questions and comments to austin.sachs@emu.edu
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