23 April 2014
Anne Power, an 82 year old Green Party member from Chorlton, has been shortlisted as ‘Campaigner of the Year’ and ‘Local Hero’ in the Observer Ethical Awards 2014. The nominations are for her involvement in the anti-fracking protests at Barton Moss, Salford.
Anne Power, who walks with a stick, became a well-known participant to both police and fellow protestors. She visited the site nearly every day throughout the winter, taking part in the blockades and helping campers by providing firewood, offering lifts and showers and donating food.
For ‘Campaigner of the Year’ Anne Power is nominated alongside fellow anti-fracking campaigner from Sussex, Vanessa Vine, Queen musician and activist, Brian May, environmentalist and filmmaker, Nicola Peel, and fashion campaigner, Carry Somers.
In the ‘Local Hero’ category Anne is up against the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp, anti-pesticide campaigner Georgina Downs, Olympic athlete John Herbert and Indian campaigner Pushpanath Krishnamurhty.
Anne Power said: “I’m delighted to be nominated for these awards. All winter I've gone 6 miles to Barton Moss Fracking site. Delaying lorries with police pushing and protesters crowding is scary. The campers were magnificent, witty, musical. We took to each other. At 82 and walking with a stick I'm conspicuous. I shouted "Fracking is a rich folks’ game" and "There are no illusions of democracy left." The police aggression fuelled my anger.”
Peter Cranie, the North West Green Party’s European election candidate, said: "Anne has done sterling work at Barton Moss – standing up to iGas and making the point that local people don’t want or need fracking. Green Party members have been at the forefront of anti-fracking protests with our MP, Caroline Lucas, recently being cleared of any criminal charges for her participation in a peaceful anti-fracking protest. Manchester Green Party member, Laura Bannister (pictured left), and other protestors are still facing trial for standing up for their beliefs and for the local community.”
He continued: “The Greens are the only party committed to banning fracking in the UK. As the region’s first Green MEP I would be a strong voice against fracking. I urge you to vote for Anne in the Observer Ethical awards and to vote Green at the ballot box on May 22nd.”
The Green Party is standing candidates for local and European elections on 22 May and is hoping to gain its first seat in the European Parliament with Peter Cranie becoming the North West region’s first Green MEP. In 2009 he missed out on the seat by just 0.3% of the vote.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
More information about the awards:
http://www.theguardian.com/observer-ethical-awards
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