Former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins, Rev Neddy Astudillo, and Clean Water Advocates Call on Governor DeSantis to Speak Out on Flawed Ban Fracking Bills

SARASOTA, FL -- On Wednesday, April 17th, former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins, faith leaders, and dozens of residents will gather at the Unconditional Surrender statue in Sarasota to rally in support of a ban on all forms of fracking. Legislation (House Bill 7029 and Senate Bill 7068) to ban fracking has moved swiftly through the state legislature. Advocates warn that the bills leave open a loophole to frack by excluding a form of fracking called matrix acidizing in the ban. The leading grassroots force behind the push to ban fracking, the Floridians Against Fracking Coalition, have urged the legislature to amend the bills to ban matrix acidizing, to no avail.

 This rally is part of a statewide day of action of multiple across the state happening on April 17th to demonstrate the widespread support for banning all forms of fracking. The rallies are calling on Governor DeSantis to speak out about the need to ban all forms of fracking to protect Floridian’s clean water and public health.

Governor DeSantis promised to support a ban on fracking on the campaign trail and issued an Executive Order on January 10th ordering the Department of Environmental Protection to “adamantly oppose hydraulic fracturing.” Rally attendees will call on the Governor to clarify his support of a fracking ban includes all forms, including hydraulic fracturing, acid fracturing, and matrix acidizing. After the impact that the red tide crisis has had on the Suncoast this past year, businesses and residents have been calling to protect water from all forms of pollution.

What: Sarasota Ban ALL Fracking Rally

When:  Wednesday, April 17th at 5:30 PM

Where: Unconditional Surrender “The Kiss” Statue, Island Park Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236

Who: Former Mayor Fredd Atkins, Rev Neddy Astudillo of GreenFaith, Food & Water Watch and Floridians Against Fracking.