Date & Time: Friday, February 5th, 11:00pm – 3:00pm

Location: Chemung County Courthouse, Hazlitt Building 203 Lake St. Elmira, New York

Hello beginning and advanced anti-fracking activists:

Activism difficulty level: 2

Come out and show your support for the people of Horseheads and their attorney Helen Slottje at the full hearing of their case against Schlumberger.

We need some like-minded warm bodies to fill the anti-fracking side of the courtroom and show our support for the people of Horseheads and our common cause. We also need to show any press who might be there that this issue is far from dead; in fact, we’ve only just begun to fight to protect our towns, farms, and wildlands. This court appearance is intended to be peaceful and respectful, and should not involve chanting or demonstrating in the courtroom. Outside the courtroom may be a different story; go ahead and bring signs if you want and we can discuss with Helen.

CARPOOLING: I can take 3 people in my car. I’ll leave Ithaca at 9:45, drive time approx 1 hr. Let me know if you need a ride or can give a ride.

TIME: Hearing begins at 11 a.m. Plan to spend a couple of hours—I’m not sure how long this will take.

DRESS CODE: It’s court; interpret as you will, but “spiffy” is probably not a bad idea.

BACKGROUND: Schlumberger has already built and begun operating phase 1 of a 4 phase hydraulic fracturing support facility in the town of Horseheads, without going through a full environmental review or receiving all of the proper permits. The site lies above the primary aquifer for the City of Elmira and across the street from the Ridge Road Elementary School. On the site are paper bags full of toxic chemicals to be used in the hydraulic fracturing process, along with explosives and other materials. People for a Healthy Environment, a group formed by Horseheads citizens outraged by the Village Board of Trustees’ “capricious and arbitrary” approval of the site plan, are asking for the temporary shutdown of the facility, pending a 12- to 18-month environmental review.

More background:? http://www.stargazette.com/article/20091115/news01/911150385/Lawsuit-seeks-complete-reassessment-of-Schlumberger-project-in-Horseheads