Save the Via de la Plata - No Refinery!

[sillydoll]

http://www.extremaduraaldia.com/salud-y ... 88391.html

In order to protect the natural heritage, the "National Congress Centers Tourist Initiative: Camino de Santiago, Via de la Plata and other historic roads was held in Zafra, 16 and 17 Oct:
The Via de la Plata is the most beautiful and visited "avenue" in the Spanish West, whose preservation and planning, potential sources of wealth and employment, is vital to our sustainable development.
But this image and integrity has to be protected, avoiding threats from companies represented here. It would be illegal if municipal officials pushed our smoke, pollution, bad odors, visual, etc.., in the main tourist and shopping street of our city. Something similar would lead the attitude of the Junta de Extremadura to push a draft oil refinery alongside the route of the Via de la Plata Camino de Santiago (crosses for 2 km. the inside of the petrochemical project), one of the cultural and natural itineraries busiest in the world.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Sil,
This is the same dispute that Javier alerted us to last spring, when a march and protest were organized by different Camino groups. camino-mozarabe-and-via-de-la-plata/topic5324.html

When I walked through in April, I saw that the dispute was still very much an issue (I am going to try to post a picture, but will post my message first, because I just lost my message trying to post. I am SUCH a technological idiot)

Anyway, we stayed at the Casa Perin (a very nice private hostal right on the Vdlp in Villafranca), and we had a long discussion with the owner and her husband about the refinery. They are both strong opponents and display big banners in their home, which is right across the street from the hostal. One of the things that seemed most tragic to me was the way the proponents of the refinery have been able to divide and conquer by pitting villagers against villagers -- those who want jobs vs. those who want to save the Vdlp. Very sad.

Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

[attachment=0]refinery.JPG[/attachment]

I think I have posted a picture -- have my fingers crossed.

 

[lynnejohn]

For some people and corporations, destruction of the natural environment and loss of habitats and species is not too high a price to pay for "progress"; the ultimate justification being job creation and other economic enhancements.

Very depressing. I hope those who are mounting the protests are effective and successful.

lynne

 

[skilsaw]

Sil,
Your knowledge of "all things Camino" and connection to all the Camino information on the web never ceases to amaze me.

David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[sillydoll]

The camino is a world heritage and as such belongs to all of us.
Perhaps it is time for us pilgrims from around the world - and the Confraternities we belong to - to get involved in preserving the camino trails.
Local organisations are doing their bit on behalf of all pilgrims, past, present and future, but we could add our voices to theirs by showing solidarity with them, signing petitions, sending emails objecting to the destruction of camino trails.

 

[lynnejohn]

Sil, I think this is worthy of consideration.

I'm not savvy about online petitions, but there are several online resources. Perhaps Ivar could lend his expertise re setting up something like this, how to block spammers, and other issue I know nothing about.

What do others think?
Do you think online petitions are effective?
Is this a worthwhile effort for the community of pilgrims?
Here's one of several resources:

http://www.petitionspot.com/blog/40/How ... Effective/

lynne

 

[sillydoll]

We could use help from Javier Martin who is involved with the camino protection groups.

Javier, ¿cómo podemos ayudar?

 

[Javier Martin]

We could use help from Javier Martin who is involved with the camino protection groups.

Javier, ¿cómo podemos ayudar?

it's not easy ... the march was done in spring with 1500 people but, it's difficult to fight against.

I have to say, I'm not discussing if refinery yes or not, but if refinery on the Camino yes or not.

The problem is that land belongs to someone, you know what I'm talking about.

If I know something about how to protest or similar don't worry, I will tell it here.

Buen Camino,

Javier Martin
Madrid, Spain.