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PORTLAND (AP) — Activists at a Portland, Maine, rally to commemorate the second anniversary of the Lac-Megantic, Quebec, rail disaster say the explosion underscores the need for more clean energy.

Forty-seven people were killed and a large chunk of downtown Lac-Megantic destroyed when an unmanned 72-car train jumped the track. More than 60 oil tankers derailed and several exploded.

Sierra Club Maine and 350 Maine organized Monday’s event in Monument Square. The groups say the event was part of the Stop Oil Trains Week of Action taking place in more than 75 cities across North America. Members of the organizations say the fossil fuels industry sacrifices the health of communities in the name of non-renewable resources.

The Portland event included speakers and a display of portraits of the Lac-Megantic disaster victims.



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