An impromptu protest from anti-fracking activists on the floor of Lafayette’s City Council meeting Tuesday forced officials to abruptly adjourn, suspending the leadership’s planned vote to revamp the city’s oil and gas rules.
The cancellation came just minutes into council’s discussion. It was preceded by an hour of public comment, during which residents, including the prominent activist group East Boulder County United, reproached the council for what many of them allege are new rules that would conflict with the city’s existing legislation.
Shortly after Jeffrey Robbins, the attorney that has shepherded the city’s proposed regulation overhaul to the tune of $300 per hour, took to the podium to speak, protestors in attendance stood up and shouted, “mic check,” followed by a litany of chants.
“We are the people of Lafayette, Colorado,” they shouted. “We are the people of Boulder County. We will not be silenced. No drills! No pipelines!”
Council chambers were quickly transformed into an ad-hoc singalong and rally in the minutes after leaders left the building, with dozens of remaining protesters forming a circle and posing for photos together.
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