Newton Resident, BU Professor Nathan Phillips Ends Hunger Strike

NEWTON, MA — BU professor, environmental activist and Newton resident Nathan Phillips ended a hunger strike after two weeks. The strike was part of an effort to call attention to what he - and several other groups and activists - see as public health and safety violations at the controversial Weymouth Compressor station site.

"While state officials are still not responding to the urgency this situation demands, this action has intensified pressure to what I hope and sense may be a tipping point," Phillips said at a press conference Tuesday. "I'm concluding my hunger strike right now, grateful that my privilege and good fortune afforded me the chance to help get the word out about the injustice in the Fore River Basin and the 3,100 children that are actively being put in harm's way. "

Phillips cited family and work commitments as reasons he chose to end the hunger strike.

Phillips released a statement two weeks ago outlining violations at a proposed 7,700-horsepower natural gas compressor station being built in Weymouth that would allow the energy company Enbridge to connect two existing pipelines and deliver natural gas to New England and Canada. Phillips and other activists say the cleanup effort at the contaminated site threaten residents of the Fore River Basin and across the commonwealth.

Officials deny that.

Residents and the municipalities of Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, and Hingham filed a complaint in state court and a petition of review in federal court, urging a judge to overturn the air quality permit the DEP issued for the project and then upheld.

Phillips asked for people to join a mass protest at the Weymouth site 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 19.

Watch Phillips' press conference here.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Newton Man On Hunger Strike Against Weymouth Compressor Site.
• Protest Group: 6 More Arrested At Weymouth Compressor Station
• 9 Arrested In Latest Protest At Weymouth Compressor Station...

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).