Press release from Horse Hill Protection Group
Demonstrators will join thousands across the world at a rally at the Horse Hill drill site on 6 November 2021 as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice. [1]
The Global Day of Action will be a huge day of rallies, marches and direct action taking place in-person in Glasgow, London, and other major regional cities around the world.
After gathering at the junction of Horse Hill with the A217 (opposite the Black Horse pub – see this page for travel details) at 12.30pm for speakers, music and crafts, demonstrators will march to the drill site for more talks and and performances at 1.30pm.
Speakers include Dave Timms, Head of Political Affairs at Friends of the Earth, and campaigner Sarah Finch, who is taking legal action against Surrey County Council’s decision to give planning permission for 20 years of commercial oil production at Horse Hill, with more to be announced. [2]
The Horse Hill oil site has been the focus of many demonstrations since Horse Hill Developments Ltd started drilling in 2014 for ‘tight oil’. These have included marches, cycle rides, visits from MPs and MEPs, picnics, gatherings and the monthly vigil ‘Faith At The Gate’ to protest against their operations.
Sarah Finch will say: “Right now at the COP26 Climate Summit the UK government is trying to present itself as leading the climate fight. Yet in ten days’ time, that same government is going to court to defend a decision to allow millions of barrels of oil to be drilled out of the Surrey countryside. We’re here to demand real solutions to the climate crisis. And that means no new fossil fuels – at Horse Hill or anywhere else.”
Lorraine Inglis, of the Weald Action Group, will say: “It has never been more urgent for us to make our voices heard and deepen public pressure on governments and corporations to immediately end their support for new fossil fuel infrastructure. Rich countries like the UK, which have profited the most from the fossil fuel economy, need to act now and reduce their fair share of climate wrecking emissions.”
Notes
[1] The Global Day of Action for Climate Justice is coordinated by the COP26 Coalition, a UK-based civil society coalition of groups and individuals mobilising around climate justice during the COP26 Climate Summit.
[2] Sarah Finch, supported by the Weald Action Group, has challenged Surrey County Council’s decision to give planning permission for five new wells (four for oil production and one for water reinjection) and for 20 years of commercial oil production at Horse Hill. The case will be heard in the Appeal Court on 16/17 November 2021. Read more: wealdactiongroup.org.uk/horse-hill-appeal