Above photo: From Rich Garella on Facebook.
New Milford, PA – The Holleran family, friends and neighbors have been holding a constant presence on the Holleran property for over a week now to protect 100,000 of their trees from being cut down to make way for the Constitution Pipeline. Even though the pipeline has not been approved yet, the company is sending out tree cutters to clear the land. But, the Hollerans are doing everything they can to resist this irreparable harm.
Today, they had a success and demonstrated the power of peaceful nonviolence. Here is their report from Facebook:
More detailed update from Megan and the other folks on-site:
On Wednesday morning at about 9:30am a tree cutting crew arrived on Three Lakes Road to access the Zeffer-Holloran property, where the Williams company’s proposed Constitution pipeline has seized land via eminent domain.
About five trucks and about 20 personnel, including tree-cutters, security men and two company representatives, staged along the side of the road at the intersection. They quickly put out cones, blocked the road to one lane with flaggers and signs.
Several supporters of the Holleran family’s rights were already there, but after calls and e-mails went out more arrived. Barry and Jeff met the tree crew on the road. A company rep told Megan that they planned to cut today, but listened to her reasons they should not cut.
Williams contacted the state police, who arrived by 10am. The tree crews standing around by their trucks and seeming to make small preparations — taking out chainsaws for example, and waiting to the order to start cutting. Everyone was courteous and both sides remained respectful.
By this time there about 15-20 supporters had arrived. We did not deny them survey access. The crew leader said two of his men would walk up the right-of-way without bringing saws, which they did.
The state police spoke to the company reps first, and then called Megan over to speak with them (without company reps present). The state police were also very respectful and listened carefully. They asked what our position was and Megan explained that legal action was still in progress and there was no reason to cut these trees today and cause irreparable damage. The police asked if the group intended to prevent cutting today and she said yes. The police said they would relate that to the cutting crew and added that they don’t intend to take any action today.
After the police spoke to the Williams reps, the crew members gathered their equipment, got into their trucks and left.
This is successful direct action, without any conflict or arrest. This is the first time that landowners and supporters have deterred an action by a major pipeline in Susquehanna County, Pa. We appreciate that Williams made the choice they did, today.
People made the difference. If we had not been there, these trees would absolutely have been cut down. While we wait for legal decisions that might save our “sugar bush,” we fully expect them to come back. We stopped the cutting for today, but support is needed every day this goes on!
Please contact one of these people directly to find out when is best to come and help!
Megan Holleran 570-709-3268
Alex Lotorto 570-269-9589 (after 5 pm_
or message through this Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1519906745006626/1524005214596779
Please share this widely but also remember that we have set a respectful tone to these interactions and we hope that this approach will extend to all aspects of our efforts.