Responding to Harmful Government Inaction, Protesters Stop Blasting on Coal River Mountain

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Youth Climate Movement

PETTUS, W. Va. – Early this morning two concerned citizens, Dea Goblirsch and Nick Martin, locked down to a drill rig on Coal River Mountain’s Bee Tree mountaintop removal site, effectively stopping blasting. Two others, Grace Williams and Laura Von Dolen, joined them in direct support, holding a banner with the message “Save Coal River Mountain”.

These nonviolent protestors have taken this action to bring attention to the extreme danger facing residents of the Coal River Valley from blasting near the Brushy Fork Impoundment. They plan to stay locked down until law enforcement removes them.

Resident of Rock Creek, W Va., Delbert Gunnoe, stated his concerns with the blasting, “You know when they put a blast over there, and it shakes the windows over here, at what, ¾-a-mile distance, imagine what it does over there.” Gunnoe continued, “if did bust…what would be the destruction? The town of Whitesville would no longer exist.”

The four are fearful of the blasting that Massey Energy began in late October. These blasts are 200 feet from the Brushy Fork Impoundment, permitted to hold nine billion gallons of toxic coal slurry. The impoundment sits atop miles of hollow, abounded underground mines, further endangering its integrity. By Massey’s own estimates, roughly 998 people will die should the dam break. The emergency evacuation plan states that a 40-foot wall of sludge, cresting at 72 feet, will flow through the valley, reaching 20-feet-high about 15 miles down the road. Apart from the initial flood, the impact of this potential spill would be felt along the Coal River’s 88 miles.

Read more: http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2009/11/21/responding-to-harmful-government-inaction-protesters-stop-blasting-on-coal-river-mountain/

---

All four were arrested Saturday. this received zero attention from the "legitimate' media in WV.

Obama's EPA announced earlier this week that they were taking a closer look at this:
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/11/20/epa-taking-closer-look-at-coal-river-mountain-mining/

Video on the subject:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5-VeAJJONI&feature=player_embedded

They have good reason to be concerned. Big coal was able to get the government to ignore U.S. Rep. Ken Hechler's warnings in the 60s. As a result, 125 people were killed in the Buffalo Creek disaster, following the collapse of a similar dam.

Hechler's column from July (He's 95 and still fighting them):
http://www.wvgazette.com/Opinion/OpEdCommentaries/200907290560

[annabanana]

1. God help West Virginia. It's clear no one else will.

This should have every progressive up in arms.

[Ian David]

14. They don't vote for the people who WANT to help them.

Appalachia is the only place in the country where McCain did better than Bush.

They don't want our help.

Apparently, they like things just the way they are.

Who are we to interfere?

If they don't like it, they'll let us know at the ballot box when they're ready.

I guess they're afraid of heights and don't want good, high-paying jobs in the fresh air and sunshine working on wind farms.

[WestSide BB]

16. Intimidation, poor education at work

West Virginians have been so beat down by the big companies that most people have not much means to protest. The laws in our state favor coal operators--they own the mineral rights under people's houses and for some reason the mineral rights take precedence.
There are also a lot of right wing media in W.Va. and many people have not finished high school or gone to college. The Charleston Gazette is somewhat of an exception. It reports the real news. But often it doesn't support progressive candidates.

[khawkings09]

19. Surrey, BC

[bananas]

2. k&r nt

[khawkings09]

20. wellington, NZ

[PJPhreak]

3. K&R nt

[SpiralHawk]

4. The 'legitimate media' is no doubt more republicon organs

of denial, spin, and propaganda -- like all the corporate media in this nation.... Ptooey on the failed media.

[Speciesamused]

5. Human need over corporate greed....

JP Morgan Chase,
still invests hundreds of millions of dollars into coal each year reflecting an antiquated and highly destructive energy portfolio that is contributing to global warming, affecting the health of people living near coal plants and mine sites, and destroying mountains in Appalachia. Stop the genocide of land and people..

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvTtt-tWoSY>

[Altoid_Cyclist]

6. They resumed blasting at an old mine near here a few years ago.

The coal companies and their lawyers said that it was just a coincidence that the foundations on nearby houses started shifting and cracking at the same time.

It's always a "coincidence" when the money and political clout of coal companies are able to buy justice in the name of jobs or "clean energy".

"Clean coal" is an oxymoron that these corporations can't be allowed to hide behind as they put people's lives and the environment at risk.

The protestors should be praised, not arrested. What a screwed up set of priorities this country has in place.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Coal cannot be clean
It's a dirty business from start to finish.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09265/999733-109.stm#ixzz0XZwr6k25

http://www.amrclearinghouse.org/Sub/photogallery/

[Hubert Flottz]

7. If the dam breaks or a mine shaft underneath it gives way...

the state will call it "An Act Of Gawd" again like it did after Buffalo creek and Donnie will go on chopping up our hills and turning the state into a toxic rock pile.

West Virginia Hills
Words by Mrs. Ellen King,
Music by H. E. Engle

1. Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand,
With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel's Land!
Is it any wonder then, That my heart with rapture thrills,
As I stand once more with loved ones On those West Virginia hills?

CHORUS:

Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills!
If o'er sea o'er land I roam, Still I'll think of happy home,
And my friends among the West Virginia hills.

2. Oh, the West Virginia hills! Where my childhood hours were passed,
Where I often wandered lonely, And the future tried to cast;
Many are our visions bright, Which the future ne'er fulfills;
But how sunny were my daydreams On those West Virginia hills!

CHORUS

3. Oh, the West Virginia hills! How unchang'd they seem to stand,
With their summits pointed skyward To the Great Almighty's Land!
Many changes I can see, Which my heart with sadness fills;
But no changes can be noticed In those West Virginia hills.

CHORUS

4. Oh, the West Virginia hills! I must bid you now adieu.
In my home beyond the mountains I shall ever dream of you;
In the evening time of life, If my Father only wills,
I shall still behold the vision Of those West Virginia hills.

CHORUS


http://www.50states.com/songs/westva.htm

Yeah Right...

[ensho]

8. kick

nt

[Hubert Flottz]

9. .

:kick:

[bread_and_roses]

10. GOOD for them! Good for them! Where is Obama? Where is Gore? Where is our Congress?

It is utterly obscene that these companies are still being permitted to destroy mountains, destroy the ecosystem, poison the water, and endanger the people.

[bertman]

11. Four brave HEROES of the highest order. Bless them for their courage and commitment!!

Rec.

[EFerrari]

12. Excellent and very brave.

K&R

[winyanstaz]

13. This is a clear and present danger to all the lives in that valley...

This has to stop.
We have NO right to distroy mountains either.
They do NOT belong only to the present generation of human beings.
We are stealing from the futures of our childrens' children and for many species.
This has to stop.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

15. UPDATE: Three of the four are still in jail and can't make bail

Dea, Grace, and Laura are still in jail with bail set at $2000 cash only each. We need help raising money to pay their bail, any donations are appreciated!

according to the latest from here:
http://climategroundzero.net/

[WestSide BB]

17. It takes a committed small group to change the world

I worked for Ken Hechler in the 1970s and he is amazing. West Virginia has some remarkable gutsy people.

[khawkings09]

18. halifax, NS