COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than 40 valley residents took a bus trip to Columbus on Tuesday to join a protest against the gas drilling boom in Ohio and the dangers they believe it poses for citizens and the environment.
The rally was called "Stop The Madness."
The protestors made their voices heard loud and clear on the capitol steps, and their chants are aimed at state lawmakers.
"Because it is the legislatures that need to start the process and to put a moratorium on and ban fracking in our state," said Susie Biersdorfer of Youngstown.
Representative Bob Hagan was among the lawmakers addressing the rally. He is not opposed to all drilling, but says we cannot just chase the dollars without getting answers and knowing the facts.
"What they're doing right now is they basically are saying things like, let's just do it, let's create the jobs. I want to create the jobs, but I want to do it in a safe way and they don't even want to answer the questions, why, what are they hiding, why can't we do it in a safe way," Hagan said.
Hagan and the other elected officials at the rally are supporting a moratorium until studies on the potential human and environmental impact are completed.
These demonstrations are becoming frequent across the state and those in attendance here say their movement is growing.
The crowds' final chant of the rally was, "We will not be stopped until Ohio is free from hydro fracking."