The Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline was unfairly Censored

The Coalition Against Pilgrim Pipeline (CAPP) is comprised of more than 70 civic, faith-based, environmental and community organizations working to educate the public about the dangers posed by the Pilgrim oil pipelines, a bi-directional pipeline project proposed to run from Albany, NY to Linden, NJ and pass through some of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the region, including drinking water supplies.

CAPP members Trout Unlimited of Northern NJ were invited to celebrate Earth Day - but were victims of censorship!

On April 23 Trout Unlimited representatives had a table at the Bergen County Earth Day “Party for the Planet,” which was hosted by County Executive James Tedesco and the Board of Chosen Freeholders.

For no apparent reason a park employee demanded that they take down their "Stop Pilgrim Pipeline" sign. The only explanation given was that a “higher up” at Bergen County had ordered it! CAPP and partners have tabled at dozens of events, including Bergen County’s Earth Day Fair in 2016, and have never been asked to take down a sign. This was targeted harassment.

We have experienced Bergen County’s lack of support to stop the pipeline, which threatens the Highlands, the water supply for over six million NJ residents. But this is a new low. We understand that certain County officials hope the pipeline might bring jobs to union supporters. CAPP supports unions, and their right to have clean water too. Pipeline companies bring in trained pipeline workers from out of state. The few if any local jobs Pilgrim might create will not offset the risk to local water sources.

We need clean energy jobs and jobs that will help to rebuild our failing water infrastructure to remove lead pipes and stop the loss of up to 1/3 of our water from leaking pipes. We don't need a 40+ year investment in an oil pipeline that poses tremendous threats to our water, property values, health and public safety.

Please sign the petition telling County Executive Tedesco that First Amendment rights apply to all, not just causes that Bergen County politicians support.