INDReporter

Cajundome to host Rally for Economic Survival

by Nathan Stubbs

Opponents to the Obama administration's attempts to put a hold on all deepwater drilling plan to be out in full force July 21 at the Cajundome.

Opponents to the Obama administration's attempts to put a hold on all deepwater drilling plan to be out in full force July 21 at the Cajundome. The Rally for Economic Survival hopes to draw national attention as presenters and attendees highlight offshore drilling's vital role in the Gulf coast economy.  The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The mission statement posted on the rally's website states:

The federal moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico threatens to destroy tens of thousands of jobs in Louisiana and devastate the economy in less than a year. Concerned citizens will pack the Lafayette Cajundome on July 21st to send a message to the Obama administration to lift the moratorium immediately. The Rally for Economic Survival will feature local, state and national speakers who share the same concern that the moratorium will create a seismic economic ripple effect that will negatively impact every citizen of the United States.

Thus far, David Dismukes of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, the Louisiana Workforce Commission and Lt. Gov. Scott Angelle are scheduled as speakers and presenters at the rally. Attendees will also be able to visit a video booth where they can record their own personal one-minute message to the president. The videos are part of a project started by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (also one of the organizers of the rally). To date, LOGA has collected approximately 50 videos, including messages from several Lafayette businessmen, hosted on its website.