Yoko Ono leads stars against ‘fracking’

Yoko Ono appears at a news conference to launch the coalition of artists opposing hydraulic fracturing on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 in New York. The formation of the group, called Artists Against Fracking, comes as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo decides whether to allow shale gas drilling using high-volume hydraulic fracturing called hydrofracking. The group says such drilling is harmful and poses the threat of contamination. They say they want to spread awareness of the issue through “peaceful democratic action.” Cuomo is expected to allow drilling to begin on a limited basis near the Pennsylvania border. The group is comprised of 146 members including Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Alec Baldwin. AP/Bebeto Matthews

NEW YORK—John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono and their son Sean Lennon on Wednesday launched “Artists Against Fracking” to oppose the technique for natural gas extraction in an important New York state water region.

“It seems that the city will be assaulted with dirty water,” Ono, 79, told a press conference. “It’s not fair for our children to ignore this.”

Sean Lennon, 36, also attacked fracking, shorthand for the horizontal drilling technique which has opened vast new American gas supplies, but which opponents say risks polluting underground water sources.

Lennon urged the state authorities, who are expected soon to rule on whether to allow fracking in New York, not to believe the industry’s assurances that it is safe.

“There is a campaign of misinformation telling the people that fracking is a clean alternative to coal,” Lennon said. “Protecting our drinking water is fundamental to life.”

“Artists against Fracking” also includes musicians like Lady Gaga and ex-Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as actors Alec Baldwin, Uma Thurman and writer Salman Rushdie.

New York sits over part of the Marcellus Shale, a formation that runs down through the eastern United States and is rich in deep natural gas deposits. Drilling has already started in other areas, including neighboring Pennsylvania.