Join the fight to save our Water – Come Demonstrate with us in Raleigh March 31 and May 14

by Patty

We, the concerned citizens, business leaders, officials and other supporters of Stanly County’s fight to preserve the right to prevent private interests being granted unfair use of North Carolina public resources, are taking our concerns directly to the state government.

Next Monday, March 31, and again two weeks later on May 14, we will be protesting in downtown Raleigh at the Bicentennial Mall near the intersection of Salisbury and Edenton streets from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We have received official demonstration permits allowing us to do this peacefully. We will be sporting protest signs as well as listening to speakers discuss the issues confronting us.

This protest is occurring in the area in front of the N.C. Legislature Building, which will provide an excellent opportunity to let members of the General Assembly and other state officials know how strongly we hold our convictions about the need to intervene in the proposed relicensing of Alcoa’s hydroelectric operations on the Yadkin River in Stanly County. Alcoa wants another 50-year license granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in April to use power generated from this public water resource for its own benefit. We want the state to realize this would put the county into a long-term disadvantage on how to use its resources, not only due to the control being granted to this multinational firm with virtually no ties to the local community, but also that same firm’s slow response to environmental damages its previous operations on the Yadkin have inflicted on the county.

We anticipate at least 300 people will attend these protests and will notify the media about our activities in hopes that they will cover it and explain our concerns to our fellow North Carolinians. Not all will be from Stanly County alone, for this issue is more than just a county matter – it is a question of whether natural resources in the 21st century can and should be used by local residents for the public good versus outside private interests receiving rights to those same resources for decades without accountability for their own personal financial benefit.

Won’t you join us in hearing what we have to say? We would appreciate all who would participate as a fellow protester or just a supporter. If you would like more details on how to get involved, please e-mail us at michelle@mmimarketing.com and/or nalmond@uwharrie.com.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you on March 31 and May 14.

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