The Knitting Nannas Against Gas staged an anti-coal seam gas (CSG) protest outside the office of Lismore MP Thomas George on February 13. The protest was held to coincide with a stop-CSG action in Casula, Sydney, outside the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, which hosted a luncheon with NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell.
The Knitting Nannas Against Gas, who have been actively supporting the blockade to stop CSG mining at Doubtful Creek, sent this message to be read out at the Casula action.
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The Knitting Nannas Against Gas represent all those who would love to be able to protest but can't, due to infirmity, age or other commitments such as work or looking after young children. These people support us with donations of food and water, handcrafts for fundraising, and money.
The NSW government is misusing its power by approving a toxic industry against the will of the majority of its employees, the people of NSW. Here in the Northern Rivers we have seen the police riot squad used as a private army by mining company Metgasco.
We have seen a woman in her mid ‘80s held in a headlock, a grandmother in her 60s wrestled to the ground and dragged off the road, a man with his arms bent so far behind his back he could hardly stand.
The riot squad is trained to fight terrorists and is using these tactics against people holding a peaceful protest.
Shame on you, Barry O'Farrell, shame on you NSW police department.
We will not give in.
