YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Dec. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In the "Promised Land" movie trailer, Matt Damon's character, landman Steve Butler, tells his gas industry employer news that could adversely affect the company's prospects for getting gas drilling leases signed in a small rural community:

"The town is going to put it to a vote in three weeks."

Nationwide, similar scenarios are playing out in real life where towns and cities assert their right to local control in determining how they want their communities to be. For many, that means preventing drilling rigs, fracking waste injection wells, or other gas and oil infrastructure from being placed near homes, children's schools, under cemeteries, parks, or national forests – or anywhere. 

Indeed, in Youngstown, Ohio, a Community Bill of Rights initiative is now in the works.  Concerned citizens have long insisted that fracking and related processes are a major threat to public health and safety.

To emphasize that point, on December 28, 2012, at 12:30 PM-2 PM, Eastern, Frackfree America National Coalition (www.frackfreeamerica.org ) is sponsoring "March to the Promised Land Rally" in Youngstown, Ohio, beginning outside First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, 1105 Elm St. (Elm & Illinois.) (Movie will NOT be shown at rally).

The rally keynote speaker is Douglas Shields, featured in "Gasland" filmmaker Josh Fox's film "The Sky is Pink" and former Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania City Council President, who in 2010 sponsored and secured the first ban of shale gas extraction drilling in the city of Pittsburgh. Speaking of that ban, Shields told WKBN-27 News (9/12/12):

"'If you're going to give us over to this industry to our detriment, you better start answering questions about your due diligence. What is the issue with our health? What happens when it goes bad? What are these impacts that we're risking?' … 'We brought science, law, industry before the city council and at the end of the day council's assessment was this is not safe.' "

"Promised Land" movie extras will appear at the rally.  Frackfree America encourages similar rallies nationwide.

See: "Marcellus Shale Reality Tour Part 10 - Bad Vibes" by Scott Cannon, Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myzGaZfeyYI

Rally info:  http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/promised-land.html#Cows

Frackfree America National Coalition

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SOURCE Frackfree America National Coalition