Vermont police ask public to ID fracking protesters accused of assault, protesters claim conspiracy

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt., June 3 (UPI) -- Authorities in Vermont have released video of three individuals involved with an anti-fracking protest at the headquarters of Vermont Gas in hopes of obtaining their identities.

The individuals are alleged to belong to the local chapter of environmental group Rising Tide, who staged a protest against Vermont Gas' plan to build a pipeline extension through the state.

In a statement on their website, Rising Tide member Sara Mahalick explained the group's intentions, saying, "We have a responsibility to the communities whose land, water, and air are being poisoned by fracking, and we're determined to make sure that this fracked gas pipeline does not move forward. Today we're here to tell Vermont Gas to cancel their construction plans, or expect to see growing resistance."

Mehalick was arrested after chaining her neck to Vermont Gas' main entrance.

Police say additional members of Rising Tide chained themselves to the building to create a distraction while the three individuals they are searching for broke into the headquarters to display their banner from Vermont Gas' rooftop. One of the men allegedly assaulted a Vermont Gas employee while chaining a fellow protester to the building.

Rising Tide has denied this account, saying it is an attempt to invalidate their cause.

"Rising Tide denies Vermont Gas Systems' claim that an assault occurred during yesterday's [May 27] act of nonviolent civil disobedience, and recognize it as an attempt to undermine the effectiveness of the action. We're proud to stand on the shoulders of a long tradition of direct action in so-called Vermont."