Littleton Has Hope to Protect Water, Like David Beat Goliath

The following blog was written by Susan Tordella, of First Church Unitarian, in Littleton, Mass. Tordella is helping to lead the movement in her community to protect local water resources.

Pan Am and Norfolk Southern Railroads are paving a 26-acre wellhead in Ayer and Littleton, Mass., to deliver Ford autos. But the railroad’s plan falls far short of providing adequate protection for our precious drinking water. The railroad has a long track record as a known polluter. Still, paving is set for mid-August.

To build community support to protest this threat to 60 percent of my town's drinking water, I organized three demonstrations in June, including the UnHappy Hour at the Aquifer Bar.

You never know who will show up at a party. But I quickly realized that someone was with me: my church community and family. They were half of the first 40 protestors to toast with Gin and Toxins, Diesel Daiquiris, and Runoff Rickeys, while rush-hour traffic circled, honking their support.

What's exciting is that our actions are having an impact. We're optimistic the lot will be delayed and moved to a site away from our water.

We have used protesting as one tool in a cocktail of traditional methods, in tandem with modern guerilla communications tactics — on the Internet. Taking the debate online is the most potent and visible way to build support quickly.

I'm counting on my Unitarian church community to speak up and support us. Remember, David beat Goliath.

Visit www.cleanwaterwarrior.com to learn more about this grassroots effort.