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Three Algonquin Pipeline Protesters Rescued From Hudson

VERPLANCK, N.Y. -- The Westchester County Police Marine Unit helped pull three protesters from the Hudson River during an Algonquin Pipeline project demonstration Saturday afternoon, according to lohud.com.

Three people were saved from the Hudson River during Saturday's protest against Spectra's Algonquin pipeline expansion.

Three people were saved from the Hudson River during Saturday's protest against Spectra's Algonquin pipeline expansion.

Photo Credit: File
Three men in a canoe were helped from the water Saturday during a protest against Spectra's Algonquin pipeline expansion.

Three men in a canoe were helped from the water Saturday during a protest against Spectra's Algonquin pipeline expansion.

Photo Credit: Resist Spectra on Facebook

The protest included three people at Ninth Street and Broadway, and nine in the water, three in kayaks and three in a canoe that turned over, a police spokesman told lohud.com.

At first, not wanting a rescue, the men tried to swim ashore, then got tired and were thrown lifelines by the rescuers, police told lohud.com.

Foes continue to protest the 42-inch, high-pressure pipeline that will bring natural gas from Pennsylvania to New England. 

Replacing an existing 24-inch pipeline, it passes under the Hudson River and cuts across Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties.

Among the chief health and safety concerns expressed by activists, community leaders, residents and politicians, such as U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, is the pipeline’s proximity to Entergy’s nuclear power plant in Buchanan.

Now activists say they are worried about the project’s effect on the area’s water infrastructure. Some say blasting by Spectra Energy damaged water mains in Cortlandt earlier this month and left residents without water during a 90-degree day.

“If we can’t trust Spectra Energy with a water main, why are we trusting them with the Hudson River?” asked Peekskill resident Courtney Williams in August.

Anti-pipeline groups are also alleging that trenches at worksites are filling with water and could become breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes. They say they have brought these concerns to the attention of the Westchester County Health Department.

Click here to see the lohud.com story.

Click here to prior see Daily Voice coverage of the story.

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