peaceful protest

I took this afternoon off to join the peaceful protest at the fracking site near to where I live. I didn't have enough time to cycle so took the car and passed the 9 police cars and riot vans that were parked up at the site. I felt a bit anxious as to how the afternoon might go - with such heavy policing, I was apprehensive - did it mean things were expected to kick off? Might I get caught up in something I didn't want to be part of? What would it mean if I accidently got myself arrested?

And yet I wanted to be there - I think it's outrageous that a local decision can be overruled - what does this mean for our democracy? If we simply allow that to pass without objection, what else can be brought in without public agreement. I also am not happy that fracking is going to happen - anywhere in this country, but how worrying that it is my local fields and water supply where it is bring trialled.

I had some interesting conversations. Some have been there every day since the start of January. Some of the protectors have seen the swelling of the police response - and right now it's hard for me to see how the situation will ease. I know that there have been several incidents were people have been hurt, and I could see how emotions were running high. I tried to open friendly conversation with some of the officers but they were cautious and not willing to engage - relationship building can take time, I know that. The police liaison guy I chatted at length to has a challenging role. Public reactions varied - there were many more tooted horns than I expected. And several gestures and abuse hurled from windows that I would have preferred not to have had. My next step is to contact the council to ask what is being done about the planning breaches I witnessed.

And next time I go, I shall wear more layers. Even with the sunshine, standing at the roadside for a few hours can get mighty chilly.