Solidarity shown for Mainshill Wood protestors
SCOTTISH Green Party leader Patrick Harvie is the first politician to visit Mainshill Solidarity Camp. And during his tour he said he was 100 per cent behind the campaign to stop opencast mining at the site near Douglas.
Mr Harvie said: “The local community has found that the democratic process is failing them, so this protest is very helpful.
“When people make a stand like this, it is far more helpful than writing a letter to an MSP or MP.
“It is a more creative use of this pocket of land than digging it up and burning coal.”
South Lanarkshire councillors approved plans for the Mainshill Wood opencast mine in February. Around 1.7 million tonnes of coal and 160,000 tonnes of fireclay will be extracted at the site over a five year period, with the promise of 93 jobs being created.
Protestors remained adamant this week that they would stay on site for ”as long as it takes” to ensure the plans do not go ahead. And a bitter row has erupted between them and Douglas and Angus Estates about a power cable being dug up on the land.
From: Carluke Gazette
Well done to the Eco warriors of Mainshill Wood, and their stand against another desecration of our countryside in the insane energy policy,knee jerk reaction, of a morally bankrupt Government, whose fear of the “Lights going out” due to their lack of investment in alternative sources of energy over the last 10 years that they have held on to control of Britain.
Sadly, the TELFORD Opencast Mine has now been given green light from the Secretary of State John Denham, and we too, face AONB encrochment, desolation of Ancient Woodland from de watering of adjoining land, and persecution of a small community mostly made up of aged residents.
The Bully boy tactics of Uk Coal on the entire community will create mayhem.
Oh for just 30 of the people who have defended Mainshill Wood site to come and join a solitary individual who is prepared to come and dig in before UK Coal get the chance to move the haevy equipment in.
I have campaigned long and hard against Uk Coal, in fact my savings are depleted to the point of nothing now, but the principle of the protection of the area is paramount, and I am too old, and also disabled, otherwise I too would be prepared to join the only Eco warrior that has so far come forward -I salute him, and also his foresight and determination to prevent yet another rape of mother Erath her.
Pat Judson, ex Friends Of The Ercall.