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The Militant (logo)
Vol. 79/No. 35 October 5, 2015
Petition: ‘No hazardous cargo
til tracks are fixed’
Ronald Martel
LAC-MÉGANTIC, Quebec — Robert Bellefleur, spokesperson for the
Citizens’ Coalition and Groups Committee for Rail Safety, delivers
petitions to Mayor Colette Roy Laroche here Sept. 21. Close to half the
population of 6,000 has signed the petition, demanding the City Council
go to court to get an injunction barring the Central Maine and Quebec
Railway from hauling hazardous cargo until the company repairs its
unsafe tracks crisscrossing the town.
The Citizens’ Coalition was set up following the July 6, 2013, oil train
derailment and explosion that killed 47 people. The 80 people attending
applauded as the mayor accepted the petition.
A temporary ban on crude oil train shipments through the town expires in
January 2016, after which the rail company is expected to restart
shipments of the highly volatile cargo.
“The mayor said that the Council would consult its lawyers and make a
decision on the demands in a few days,” coalition member André Blais
told the Militant. “If the City Council decides not to act then the
coalition itself will consider going to court for the injunction.”
The Citizens’ Coalition has called a march for Oct. 11 to back up the
demands, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Lac-Mégantic Sports Centre. For
information, contact infosecurail154@xxxxxxxxx.
— JOHN STEELE
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Build Oct. 11 safety protest in Lac-Mégantic
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On the Picket Line
Fight frame-up of Quebec rail workers!
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