Anti-fracking rally targets Washington

WASHINGTON, July 30 (UPI) -- Anti-fracking protesters joined ranks for a march and rally in Washington, ending at the U.S. Capitol, calling their movement a "Stop the Frack Attack."

"I got involved in the rally because I feel very passionately that fracking is a risk to West Virginia, said Fiona Druge, one of the rally's organizers, WBOY.com of West Virginia reported.

CNN reported Monday that thousands, gathering at the West Lawn of the Capitol, showed a unified front against the controversial drilling technique for natural gas, that many say is a danger to underground water reserves.

John Krohn, a spokesman for Energy in Depth, which supports fracking, said police told them the crowd numbered about 1,500.

He said, "it seems there is a significant lack of support to limit this technology that is supporting the U.S. economy, creating millions of jobs and is enabling the U.S. to lead the world in carbon reductions."

Protesters for the weekend rally traveled from North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vermont, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, California, and likely more, CNN reported.

"I've seen the effects. I've grown up with the effects. This started when I was in 6th grade and I just now graduated high school. I feel it's important I share the harmful effects that happened to me personally," said Kelly Humphreys, one of the speakers.

Her father, Ricky Humphreys, said the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection granted permits for four wells on his property, despite his opposition to the drilling process.

"My opposition was overshadowed," he said.