Rolling March to the Statehouse
Starts Sunday, July 6 – Join in Where You Can!
Sunday, July 6- Richmond Pipeline Resistance Relay Walk Kickoff in Richmond
On Sunday, July 6th, the walk starts with a Kick-Off Celebration at Hilltop Orchards, Canaan Rd. (Rte. 295) in Richmond. Arrival time is 11-11:30, during which people can browse the Winery and Store and enjoy the expansive south-country view. From 11:30 – 1:00, there will be a buffet-style luncheon, with music and speakers from the anti-pipeline movement, Jane Winn of Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Jim Cutler of Hilltown Community Rights. The Kick-Off will be $12 per person, $5 for children, with proceeds going to area pipeline resistance organizations. Tickets can be purchased in advance at eventbrite.com or at the door at Hilltop Orchards. Participation in the Kick-Off Celebration is not required to join the walk. At 1:00, the Pipeline Resistance Relay Walk begins at Hilltop Orchards. Walkers are asked to gather at least 15 minutes early. The path will cross 5-1/2 miles through Richmond to Pittsfield very close to the proposed pipeline path, including East Road, carrying a baton in the form of a symbolic pipeline to the next leg of the journey. Rides back to parking at Hilltop Orchards will be available.
Monday, July 7-Pittsfield, Dalton
Stop the Pipeline Standout Rally & Bike Ride in Pittsfield & Dalton
On Monday, July 7th, the Pittsfield and Dalton leg of the journey will start with a “standout” rally at Park Square. Those who oppose the proposed high-pressure gas transmission line are invited to come to Park Square from 8:30 – 9:30 am and stand in opposition. There will be signs available, or participants are invited to get creative and make their own. The journey from Pittsfield, through Dalton to Windsor will happen by bicycle, relaying the symbolic pipeline from Richmond to Windsor on it’s way across the state. Any and all bike riders in the area are encouraged to join for the 20 mile round trip. The riders will be departing from Park Square at 9:00 with a send-off from the Stand-Out protestors. RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary. Please contact Cheryl Rose to confirm 413-842-5141.
Tuesday, July 8-Windsor
The Windsor pipeline walk will take place next Tuesday on July 8th. It will begin at8:30 from the Alpine solar home located on North St where we will pick up the baton left for us by the Dalton group. Those who would like to have their car parked at the destination location can meet at the West Cummington Parish house at 8 am to car pool back to North St. The walk will go along route 9 for ~6.5 miles to West Cummington. Walkers are welcome to join us along the way; parking is available at Sangar’s general store and at Notchview. The terrain is a bit hilly. We anticipate a 2.5-3 hour walk. Bring signs and a water bottle. There will be water available for refills along the route. We are also looking for drivers to transport walkers back to their cars if they don’t park at the Parish house and for drivers to drop jugs of water along the route. Bring a sign and join us for some or all of the route!
Wednesday, July 9-Cummington, Plainfield
Gather at the West Cummington Parish House at 8:00 (coffee will be served!); depart at 8:30, walking to Earthdance (all are welcome to continue on through Plainfield. or return to the Parish House to disperse).
Plainfield will begin at Earthdance, estimated departure time: 9:30. More info to come.
Thursday, July 10– Ashfield
Meet at the intersection of Campbell and Watson roads on the border of Plainfield and Ashfield at 9 am. Arrivals will be instructed where to park at that location. Marchers will walk from there along Watson road to Bear Swamp road to Hawley road, across route 112 and into Ashfield center on Main street. Walkers will rest at the Mobil gas station called Neighbors where bathroom facilities will be available. From there we invite those whose wish can ride a hay wagon through town as a mini parade. This is an opportunity for parents with small children and the elderly to participate in a way that works for them. From the center of Ashfield the walkers will turn North on Baptist Corner road and then right on Bellus (the only dirt segment) which connects to Beldingville road to the Conway border.
Anyone who needs a ride back to where they parked their car will be shuttled by the march organizers but to facilitate transportation we are suggesting that walkers carpool and park some vehicles at the beginning and the end of the walk so that they can get back to their car without relying on the march organizers to shuttle them. There will be a chase car with 2-way communications, first aid and water.
The Northeast Woodlands Indigenous People’s Cleansing & Protection Ceremony – After the march there will be a cleansing and protection ceremony at the site of the proposed compressor station next to the power lines on Pfersick road. The ceremony will begin at 6 pm. This is a traditional indigenous ceremony run by women. The press and participants are welcome to take pictures before and after the ceremony but not during.
Friday, July 11– Conway, Shelburne
Meet at intersection of Beldingville and Pfersick roads on the Conway/Ashfield border. Arrivals will be instructed where to park at that location. Marchers will walk from there along Beldingville/Sabans and Pine Hill road to Shelburne Falls road turning right and following Shelburne Falls road, turning left on Newhall road then turning right on Newhall Xing then left on Bardswell Ferry road to the Bardswell Ferry bridge.
Anyone who needs a ride back to where they parked their car will be shuttled by the march organizers but to facilitate transportation we are suggesting that walkers carpool and park some vehicles at the beginning and the end of the walk so that they can get back to their car with relying on the march organizers to shuttle them. There will be a chase car with 2-way communications, first aid and water.
Shelburne- Meet at Bardwells Ferry Bridge at 12:00. We will walk to Clarkdale Fruit Farm via Bardwell’s Ferry to Taylor to S. Shelburne Rd to Old Albany.
An event to welcome walkers is being planned at Clarkdale Fruit Farms. Details to come. Starting time around 1:00 PM; walkers expected between 2:30 and 3:00 PM
Saturday, July 12-Greenfield
Meet at Clarkdale Fruit Farms at 9:00 AM to walk to the Greenfield Common via Wisdom Way. We’ll join the Peace Vigil group on the common around 11 am. Afterwards we will walk south on Rte 5/10, handing off the baton at the Cheapside Bridge around noon.
Sunday, July 13-Deerfield, Montague, Erving
Join Deerfield at Rte 5/10 Bridge over the Deerfield River “Cheapside Bridge” at9am for a short walk down River Road to the Bike Path Bridge over the Connecticut.
At 10 am, walkers from Montague will meet at the Connecticut River Bicycle Bridge for a photo op- canoeists and kayakers are encouraged to paddle in for a photo up- be under the Deerfield/ Montague bike bridge at 10–with a sign if possible! After pictures, we’ll walk through the Montague Plains to Millers Falls-Erving Rte. 63 Bridge over the Millers River. About 6 miles.
At 2 pm, Montague walkers will pass the baton to Erving at the Millers River Bridge for a scenic 3 mile walk along the Connecticut River. We will walk under the French King Bridge and end at the Riverview Picnic and Recreation Area across from Northfield Mountain.
Contact Diane Macavoy orand Peter Hudyma for more information.
Monday, July 14– Northfield, Erving
We’ll meet at Riverview Picnic and Recreation Area at 9 am to walk up over the mountain. We’ll join with Erving and continue on to Laurel Lake for a celebratory swim. Approximately 9 miles. Walkers encouraged to join for all or part. Options include meeting at the top of South Mountain Rd for the second (downhill) half of the walk or ending there. Contact Julia at jablyth@gmail.com for details. A shuttle from Laurel Lake and various points along the way will be available.
Tuesday, July 15– Warwick, Orange
Details to come.
Wednesday July 16– Athol
Details to come.
Thursday, July 17– Royalston
Details to come.
Friday, July 18– Winchendon
We’ll meet at 8:00 am at the Lake Dennison swim area on Route 202, and then walk to the Cornerstone Church. This is a 9 mile walk with six water stops. These stops will offer opportunities for some walkers to end their participation (shuttles available) and others to begin their part of the walk from that point if they do not wish to complete the full 9 miles. There will be water and snacks available (free of charge), as well as a chance to sign the petition at these points.
Stops and approximate times:
Lucky Dragon Restaurant, 8:30am (1 mi)
Waterville Plaza, 9:15am (3 mi)
United Parish, 9:45am (4 mi)
Winchendon Golf Course Clubhouse, 10:30am (5 mi)
Silver Hawk, 11am (6.5 mi)
Brian’s Place, 11:45am (8.5)
Cornerstone Church, 12pm (9 mi)
Saturday, July 19– Ashburnham
Details to come.
Sunday, July 20– Ashby
Details to come.
Monday, July 21– Townsend
Details to come.
Tuesday, July 22– Pepperell
Meet at the North Middlesex High School at 10 am. There will be a group photo atnoon at the Town Hall. Nashua River Crossing led by Marion Stoddart—around2:30pm.
Wednesday, July 23– Groton
Details to come.
Thursday, July 24– Dunstable
Details to come.
Firday, July 25– Tyngsboro
Details to come.
Saturday, July 26– Dracut
> Details to come.
Wednesday, July 30th – Rally at the Statehouse
Details to come.
Feel free to contact organizers, Julia or Mary to sign up, join in or ask any questions.Schedule below: (average of about 7-8 miles per day).
WALKERS — Remember to bring water, sun protection, rain gear, a snack, and hopefully some to spare for your fellow walkers!! And don’t forget to invite your State and Congressional Legislators and the Governor to events happening along the walk in your town.
(“We” are a group of local pipeline opponents from around the state)
-We’re doing a town to town relay from Richmond to Dracut. Local walkers will follow the route on roads that parallel the route, and walk along the route more closely through conservation areas, etc.
-We’ll likely have a celebration in Dracut on July 26th.
-On July 29th or 30th we’ll deliver the petitions to the statehouse, after a rally across the Boston Common. We imagine this being populated by any citizens and organizations who have been waiting to bring this fight to the State House.
Details still emerging – send your ideas and/or connection to Massachusetts notables to attend to organizers, Julia or Mary
-We’ll have concurrent rallies at town halls — we’re imagining giving select boards of towns that haven’t passed a resolution a pile of the resolutions from all other towns have passed them – 20 so far!
» Check back here for more details
PHOTOS TO COME!