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Once NYAF had our strategy, we then started deploying different tactics, each one laser-focused on our target and goal: Getting Cuomo to ban fracking. Here are six main ones: We Followed Cuomo Everywhere So He Couldn’t Ever Forget Fracking 1 In the fall of 2012, we heard that Cuomo was going to be touring D’Addario Strings, a factory on Long Island making parts for musical instruments. Within a few days, Food & Water Watch and NYPIRG got a busload of students to rally outside the factory. New York organizer Eric Weltman easily got inside and found Cuomo being interviewed by the press. “He was clearly dumbfounded that there was an anti-fracking ral- ly on Long Island,” remembers Eric. “From his perspective, to the extent that he thought about fracking, I’m sure he was aware that it would be done hundreds of miles away from Long Island. So, I think that was the first moment where he realized, ‘Oh, this thing is big.’”
Putting the Pressure on Cuomo Through Bold Tactics
This tactic is called birddogging — we follow our target to different public appearances and pressure them to speak on our issue. NYAF organized over 100 birddogs over the course of the campaign, remembers Alex. Some were a scramble; we’d get two hours' notice that Cuomo would be at an event and get 10 people there, but at least Cuomo would see us.
He couldn’t ever forget fracking
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People Power vs. Fracking 26
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