Much of this support bubbled up organically, as these celebrities themselves recognized the threat of fracking. They used their plat- forms to elevate the issue and the campaign, giving it more reach, credibility — and fun! One of the movement’s biggest events occurred in May 2012, soon after NYAF’s launch, when actors Mark Ruffalo and Melissa Leo hosted a benefit concert and rally. The concert was a star-studded affair, featuring musicians like Natalie Merchant, Joan Osborne, Toshi Reagon, and the Akwesasne Women’s Choir. Speakers from NYAF and frontline communities punctuated the performances with emotional testimonies.
Mark Ruffalo
Pete Seeger
We Worked With Star Power to Spread the Word 3
Photo by Jessica Riehl
One of the campaign’s major advantages was the outpouring of support from public figures. Actor Mark Ruffalo spoke out against fracking before NYAF formed and joined the coalition’s advisory committee. Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon became steadfast allies, rallying more than 180 artists to join Artists Against Fracking; notably, they put up a billboard along the Major Deegan Expressway calling on Cuomo to “Imagine There’s No Fracking.” In 2013, musician Pete Seeger brought the issue of fracking to Farm Aid, an annual benefit concert for family farmers, and he joined NYAF’s “State of the State” rally that year.
Photo by Jessica Riehl
Natalie Merchant
Photo by Susan Wozny
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People Power vs. Fracking 34
Photo by Jessica Riehl
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