The Parlour Holds A Benefit For No LNG In PVD on March 23

No LNG In PVD is bringing the environmental concerns of local residents to the forefront. The group consists of area residents, the Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island, The FANG Collective, Rhode Island Sierra Club, other environmental and community groups and local churches that are working to halt National Grid’s proposed $180 million Fields Point liquefied natural gas facility in South Providence. On March 23, The Parlour will hold a benefit for the organization to help pay for the various legal fees that’ll come with their upcoming hearings with the Coastal Resources Management Council and the Department Of Environmental Management.

“I’ve been involved with the No LNG in PVD campaign for almost a year now, and the coalition’s activities have significantly delayed the project and raised serious questions with local permitting agencies about the safety and environmental impact of the project,” says Aaron Jaehnig who is also a co-owner of The Parlour. “As is usually the case when looking at who carries the burden of fossil fuel infrastructure and extraction, it is working class communities of color. The impact and dangers of this project most severely fall on folks living in South Providence and Washington Park, whose ZIP code already contain most of the city’s toxic polluters as identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as well as some of the state’s highest rates of asthma. Enough is enough.

“The Port of Providence is full of schools and hospitals and this dangerous facility puts all of them in jeopardy,” Jaehnig continues. “Just this week National Grid canceled the protective wall they were going to build around the existing tank because dealing with questions raised by the coalition related to existing toxic soil sites was delaying the project too much. So, not only will taxpayers have to pay for this project that will largely ship fracked liquefied natural gas out of the state, National Grid is willing to jeopardize people’s safety in doing so.”

Activist, poet and hip-hop artist Jared Paul and the dynamic brass act known as the Extraordinary Rendition Band will be performing as part of the benefit. So not only is the fundraiser for a worthy cause, what’s better than getting to see a bunch of horns and drums making noise in a local bar? That night also is Jaehnig’s birthday, so there will be a bit of celebrating happening as well.

The construction of a liquefied natural gas plant in Providence affects all Rhode Islanders in one way or another. To make your voice heard and to show support for the people opposing this destructive project, head to The Parlour on March 23.

Event page for the No LNG In PVD Benefit @ The Parlour on March 23: facebook.com/events/1204137116376176; Follow No LNG In PVD on Facebook: facebook.com/NoLNGPVD