The Mole Lake Drum opened the rally, honoring elders who have fought the Forest County mine proposal for 25 years. Northern Wisconsin is going to be a nesting ground for corporations to take our natural resources. When they are all gone, we're going to be looking at Superfund sites. We're going to leave a legacy to our future generations of not being able to swim in this water. We need to support each other in every effort if we are going to bring this state back to the people.
People power is the final power of democracy.
Speakers also noted that the mine would be the largest toxic waste dump in state history, and use 18-20 tons of cyanide per month in ore processing. Milwaukee student artists carried huge banners backing a ban on cyanide in mines, much as Montana voters have enacted. I don't think we should give our pristine waters to a Nestle-owned multinational. Perrier has come under intense local opposition in three counties, but the DNR may soon permit its plan because state law does not protect rural wells from being pumped dry. Rural residents fear the health effects of stray voltage on cattle and human beings, and defends the property rights of landowners who do not wish to sell land to utility corporations.