Shale gas opponents tell SWN to go home in St. Louis-de-Kent, SWN cancels meeting with mayors

Approximately 350 people from Kent County and across the province of New Brunswick gathered in St. Louis-de-Kent on May 28th at 6:00pm to protest a meeting that SWN Resources has organized with the mayors of Kent County. Their message was clear: SWN go home.

SWN Resources, a Canadian subsidiary of the American-based Southwestern Energy Company, holds the largest license over shale gas exploration in New Brunswick. The company is currently implementing a shale gas exploration program in Kent County this summer. SWN Resources had postponed all shale gas activity in the province in August 2011 following protests. Anti-shale gas signs can be spotted across the scenic and rural Kent County.

Many had traveled from across the province to find out that SWN Resources had cancelled the meeting due to safety concerns. Many demonstrators laughed at SWN’s assessment of safety. The demonstration was peaceful and joyful with many anti-shale gas opponents from across the province greeting each other. A group of women from Elsipogtog, St. Mary’s and elsewhere sang songs and drummed.