2012–2014 Romanian protests against shale gas

2012–2014 Romanian protests against shale gas
2012–2014 Romanian protests against shale gas
Part of 2012–2015 unrest in Romania
	Bârlad Vaslui Pungești Bucharest Vama Veche Sânmartin Cluj-Napoca Timișoara Sibiu Curtici Iași Piatra Neamț Alba Iulia Arad Oradea Brașov Codlea Buzău Călărași Mangalia Costinești Constanța Galați Târgu Neamț Slatina Suceava Buziaș Craiova Bistrița Reghin Moșna Location of protests
Date	21 March 2012 – 26 November 2014; (2 years, 8 months and 5 days)
Location	Dozens of cities in Romania and Romanian diaspora
Caused by	Exploitation of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing; Installation of gas derricks in areas of exploitation; Uncertain position of politicians on the project; Police brutality;
Goals	Banning shale drilling in Romania; Resignation of Ponta Government;
Methods	Protest march; Human chain; Occupation; Revolt; Civil resistance; Roadblock; Hunger strike; Internet activism;
Status	Ended
Concessions	Dismissal of Ungureanu Government through a motion of censure; Suspension of shale gas exploration in Pungești area; Interruption of shale gas exploitation in Moșna-Alma Vii area; Chevron's withdrawal from Romania;
Parties
Students; Teachers; Priests; Environmentalists; Activists	Gendarmes; Police officers
Number
Up to 50,000; 30,000 in Bârlad; 4,000 in Bucharest; 1,500 in Curtici; 1,000 in Pungești; 1,000 in Sânmartin	Up to 2,000
Casualties and losses
Arrests: 53; Injuries: 17;	Injuries: 1;

The 2012–2014 Romanian protests against shale gas were a series of protests in major Romanian cities against exploitation of shale gas through controversial method of hydraulic fracturing. The main causes of these protests were the pollution of groundwater and environment, but also the threat of generating earthquakes. The protesters claimed the resignation of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, because he suddenly changed his position on the project. Before the electoral campaign of 2012, he opposed shale drilling, but after he supported it with any risks, on the grounds that Romania's energy independence is a national project.

The protests began with peaceful movements against shale drilling organized on social networking websites. The protests degenerated in fierce clashes between law enforcers and demonstrators, with dozens of people injured on both sides. According to different sources, these are the most violent events in Romania since the 2012 anti-presidential protests.

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