After over a year in and out of the court system trial for ResistSpectra's very first direct action against Spectra Energy's Northeast Expansion Pipeline (AIM, Atlantic Bridge, Access Northeast -- ONE pipeline disguised at 3 different pipelines), the Montrose9 were unjustly found guilty by Judge Daniel McCarthy, sentenced to 5 hours of community service and a fine plus surcharges.

#Activism, #ActOnClimate, #AIM, #AIMpipeline, #Astorino, #BeyondExtremeEnergy, #BXE, #CatskillMountainkeeper, #CFOW, #cleanenergy, #ClimateChange, #climatejustice, #Cuomo, #Disasterino, #Energy, #EnergyDemocracy, #energyefficiency, #FERC, #FossilFree, #Fracking, #Gastorino, #GoFossilFree, #KeepItIntheGround, #Methane, #newyork, #NoPipelines, #‎PeoplesClimate, #Photography, #RenewableEnergy, #renewables, #ResistAIM, #ResistAIMpipeline, #RobAstorino, #SaneEnergyProject, #SaneSolutions, #SAPE, #SEnRG, #SolarPower, #‎Solidarity, #StopAIMpipeline, #StopGasExports, #StopSpectra, ‪#‎weareallconnected‬, #WeSayNo, #WindPower, #YOUAREHERE, © ERIK MCGREGOR, 917-225-8963, Erik Mc Gregor, erikrivas@hotmail.com

Two thousand people take to NYC streets in solidarity with Standing Rock Water Protectors protesting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approving Dakota Access Pipeline and Spectra’s AIM Pipeline, 39 people were arrested in an act of peaceful civil disobedience, confronting the Army Corps by bearing witness in the streets until being removed by police.

After being found guilty of trespassing Cortlandt judge Kimberly Ragazzo ruled Unconditional Discharge in case of the Spectra "Algonquin" Pipeline Crawlers who halted construction in October of 2016. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Resist Spectra - Montrose 9 trial

After being found guilty of trespassing Cortlandt judge Kimberly Ragazzo ruled Unconditional Discharge in case of the Spectra "Algonquin" Pipeline Crawlers who halted construction in October of 2016. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Peekskill Halloween Ball celebrates the 5th Anniversary film screening of WE ARE THE HARTMANS followed by a benefit concert for environmental advocacy groups SENrG and Resist SPECTRA - This is the first public event at the newly restored, beautiful Dramatic Hall, Peekskill.

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

Assistant District Attorney Livia Rodriguez delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Defendants' attorney David Dorfman delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Defendants' attorney David Dorfman delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Assistant District Attorney Livia Rodriguez delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Justice Kimberley Ragazzo - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New York State (NYS) residents, led by Nancy Vann - a Peekskill landowner whose property was taken by Spectra for pipeline construction - stood up in the monthly public meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ask the commissioners why they have ignored NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo’s urgent request to immediately halt construction on Spectra Energy's Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. Protesters were forcibly removed from the room.

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

New York State (NYS) residents, led by Nancy Vann - a Peekskill landowner whose property was taken by Spectra for pipeline construction - stood up in the monthly public meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ask the commissioners why they have ignored NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo’s urgent request to immediately halt construction on Spectra Energy's Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. Protesters were forcibly removed from the room.

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NY Governor, held a press conference on July 13, 2018 with local community leaders calling on New York State to shut down the Spectra/Enbridge AIM Pipeline. The recently installed 42" diameter fracked gas pipeline, located within 105' of critical safety infrastructure of the aging and failing nuclear power plant. The site also holds 40 years worth of radioactive spent nuclear fuel in overcrowded and inadequate containers. Nixon urged New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to use authority delegated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the shut down of gas through AIM pipeline. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NY Governor, held a press conference on July 13, 2018 with local community leaders calling on New York State to shut down the Spectra/Enbridge AIM Pipeline. The recently installed 42" diameter fracked gas pipeline, located within 105' of critical safety infrastructure of the aging and failing nuclear power plant. The site also holds 40 years worth of radioactive spent nuclear fuel in overcrowded and inadequate containers. Nixon urged New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to use authority delegated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the shut down of gas through AIM pipeline. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Defendants' attorney David Dorfman delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

#Activism, #ActOnClimate, #AIM, #AIMpipeline, #Astorino, #BeyondExtremeEnergy, #BXE, #CatskillMountainkeeper, #CFOW, #cleanenergy, #ClimateChange, #climatejustice, #Cuomo, #Disasterino, #Energy, #EnergyDemocracy, #energyefficiency, #FERC, #FossilFree, #Fracking, #Gastorino, #GoFossilFree, #KeepItIntheGround, #Methane, #newyork, #NoPipelines, #‎PeoplesClimate, #Photography, #RenewableEnergy, #renewables, #ResistAIM, #ResistAIMpipeline, #RobAstorino, #SaneEnergyProject, #SaneSolutions, #SAPE, #SEnRG, #SolarPower, #‎Solidarity, #StopAIMpipeline, #StopGasExports, #StopSpectra, ‪#‎weareallconnected‬, #WeSayNo, #WindPower, #YOUAREHERE, © ERIK MCGREGOR, 917-225-8963, Erik Mc Gregor, erikrivas@hotmail.com

Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Fourth day for the six people on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New York State (NYS) residents, led by Nancy Vann - a Peekskill landowner whose property was taken by Spectra for pipeline construction - stood up in the monthly public meeting of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ask the commissioners why they have ignored NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo’s urgent request to immediately halt construction on Spectra Energy's Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project. Protesters were forcibly removed from the room.

© Erik McGregor - erikrivas@hotmail.com - 917-225-8963

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Defendants' attorney David Dorfman delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Assistant District Attorney Rodriguez delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Justice Kimberley Ragazzo - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

#Activism, #ActOnClimate, #AIM, #AIMpipeline, #Astorino, #BeyondExtremeEnergy, #BXE, #CatskillMountainkeeper, #CFOW, #cleanenergy, #ClimateChange, #climatejustice, #Cuomo, #Disasterino, #Energy, #EnergyDemocracy, #energyefficiency, #FERC, #FossilFree, #Fracking, #Gastorino, #GoFossilFree, #KeepItIntheGround, #Methane, #newyork, #NoPipelines, #‎PeoplesClimate, #Photography, #RenewableEnergy, #renewables, #ResistAIM, #ResistAIMpipeline, #RobAstorino, #SaneEnergyProject, #SaneSolutions, #SAPE, #SEnRG, #SolarPower, #‎Solidarity, #StopAIMpipeline, #StopGasExports, #StopSpectra, ‪#‎weareallconnected‬, #WeSayNo, #WindPower, #YOUAREHERE, © ERIK MCGREGOR, 917-225-8963, Erik Mc Gregor, erikrivas@hotmail.com

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Judge Ragazzo ruled that all charges be dismissed for lack of evidence from the prosecution on elements of the trespassing charge for defendants Judith Canepa, Judy Allen and Kim Fraczek. Court has been adjourned for the other 3 defendants Rebecca Berlin, David Publow and Janet González until October 23 when the necessity defense will be heard. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NY Governor, held a press conference on July 13, 2018 with local community leaders calling on New York State to shut down the Spectra/Enbridge AIM Pipeline. The recently installed 42" diameter fracked gas pipeline, located within 105' of critical safety infrastructure of the aging and failing nuclear power plant. The site also holds 40 years worth of radioactive spent nuclear fuel in overcrowded and inadequate containers. Nixon urged New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to use authority delegated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the shut down of gas through AIM pipeline. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

#Activism, #ActOnClimate, #AIM, #AIMpipeline, #Astorino, #BeyondExtremeEnergy, #BXE, #CatskillMountainkeeper, #CFOW, #cleanenergy, #ClimateChange, #climatejustice, #Cuomo, #Disasterino, #Energy, #EnergyDemocracy, #energyefficiency, #FERC, #FossilFree, #Fracking, #Gastorino, #GoFossilFree, #KeepItIntheGround, #Methane, #newyork, #NoPipelines, #‎PeoplesClimate, #Photography, #RenewableEnergy, #renewables, #ResistAIM, #ResistAIMpipeline, #RobAstorino, #SaneEnergyProject, #SaneSolutions, #SAPE, #SEnRG, #SolarPower, #‎Solidarity, #StopAIMpipeline, #StopGasExports, #StopSpectra, ‪#‎weareallconnected‬, #WeSayNo, #WindPower, #YOUAREHERE, © ERIK MCGREGOR, 917-225-8963, Erik Mc Gregor, erikrivas@hotmail.com

Third day for the six people on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Four Water Defenders took action along the Hudson, interrupting plans to pull AIM pipeline under the river by occupying pipeline construction site to Stop Spectra Energy’s AIM Pipeline. A rally of 130 people marched to the pipeline site, singing and showing solidarity with the defenders and pledging to continue the fight.

Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NY Governor, held a press conference on July 13, 2018 with local community leaders calling on New York State to shut down the Spectra/Enbridge AIM Pipeline. The recently installed 42" diameter fracked gas pipeline, located within 105' of critical safety infrastructure of the aging and failing nuclear power plant. The site also holds 40 years worth of radioactive spent nuclear fuel in overcrowded and inadequate containers. Nixon urged New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to use authority delegated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the shut down of gas through AIM pipeline. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Defendants' attorney David Dorfman delivering open statement - Six people who are on trial in Cortlandt, NY for trespassing for an action that halted construction on the Spectra/Enbridge AIM fracked gas pipeline for 16 hours in 2016 will be allowed to argue that their actions were necessary to prevent imminent harm. The decision by Judge Ragazzo to allow the necessity defense comes on the heels of the release of the executive summary of an Independent Risk Assessment from Governor Cuomo’s administration that acknowledged unanswered questions and echoed years of safety concerns of experts and community members alike. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

New Yorkers took direct action outside Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City office on November 2, 2018 sending a clear message: Be a real climate leader and stop the Williams NESE Pipeline. Dozens of activists rallied before dropping a 25-foot banner across the street, and delivering a letter opposing the pipeline signed by 211 New York organizations. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

Cynthia Nixon, Candidate for NY Governor, held a press conference on July 13, 2018 with local community leaders calling on New York State to shut down the Spectra/Enbridge AIM Pipeline. The recently installed 42" diameter fracked gas pipeline, located within 105' of critical safety infrastructure of the aging and failing nuclear power plant. The site also holds 40 years worth of radioactive spent nuclear fuel in overcrowded and inadequate containers. Nixon urged New York Public Service Commission (PSC) to use authority delegated by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to ensure the shut down of gas through AIM pipeline. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

After being found guilty of trespassing Cortlandt judge Kimberly Ragazzo ruled Unconditional Discharge in case of the Spectra "Algonquin" Pipeline Crawlers who halted construction in October of 2016. (Photo by Erik McGregor)

After being found guilty of trespassing Cortlandt judge Kimberly Ragazzo ruled Unconditional Discharge in case of the Spectra "Algonquin" Pipeline Crawlers who halted construction in October of 2016. (Photo by Erik McGregor)