Climate Ground Zero is reporting that three activists and two journalists were charged after a new protest action at one of Massey Energy’s mountaintop removal operations in Southern West Virginia.
They’ve got details on their Web site here, and The Associated Press put out this short item on the event:
 SUNDIAL, W.Va. (AP) — An environmental group says five more people have been ticketed for trespassing at a Massey Energy surface mine in West Virginia.
Climate Ground Zero says state troopers ticketed the five Thursday at Massey’s Edwight Surface Mine in Raleigh County, about 84 miles south of Charleston.
The group says the mine’s coal slurry pond endangers nearby Marsh Fork Elementary School. Massey’s desire to add a second coal storage silo to an existing one about 300 feet from the school has sparked protests and lawsuits.
Thursday’s protest was the fifth recent instance of civil disobedience targeting surface mining in West Virginia.
A spokesman for Richmond, Va.-based Massey had no immediate comment. The company mines in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia.
It will be interesting to see how Massey’s lawyers respond. Remember that there’s a broad court injunction in place against such protests, and a court hearing on the case has been postponed until June 1.
Photojournalist Antrim Caskey, one of those involved in Thursday’s incident, recently got some attention from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press about her concerns that the court order is limiting her ability to do her job as a journalist. And protest leader Mike Roselle recently appeared on the show Democracy Now! to discuss the peaceful civil disobedience campaign.
And despite the court order, the activists are seeking help in continuing their protests. Stay tuned …
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OT
So what is going on w/Blair Mtn? I know there is a protest tomorrow…will some one be covering it?
I would love to go but must work.
Hope some one goes…I would love to hear about about it and see some pics
Congrats to CGC for their fine work in getting the word out on this destructive and illegal practice. It’s high time our elected officials come out against this practice and end it once and for all. When you see folks getting arrested for what they believe in and to publicize a dirty, sleazy practice they should be commended for their efforts.
I pray these demonstrations will stop MTR in West Virginia. Yet I fear the politicians are all bought by the coal companies. Thank you CGC for your dedication to saving the mountains from corporate greed.
Ken,
This is not a complaint but an observation; There was nothing in the Charleston Gazette about yesterday’s protest and the Beckley Register Herald said simply that 5 people were “ticketed” for trespass on the Edwhite Mine. Yet this non violent action managed to stop all mining operations on that part of the mine for a full day and the banner was clearly visible from Route 3 for over two hours. No wonder there was no comment from Massey, but couldn’t the Gazette at least acknowledge that such an action in the heart of West Virginia’s coal mining region is somewhat newsworthy?
Mike,
You’re welcome to complain. Of course, you’d have to take up any complaints about the Register Herald with them, not Coal Tattoo or the Gazette.
BUT, I can tell you that I’m sitting here looking at page 2D of today’s final edition Gazette, and we have the AP story on this particular protest right there.
If you’re looking at a Print edition, does it say FINAL in the upper left corner of the front page? If not, it’s an early edition. I couldn’t find one of those in the newsroom right off, and it’s possible — but unlikely — that the story didn’t make that edition for some reason or another. But I doubt that.
Also, the story is on the Gazette’s Web site in two places.
Here:
http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200904160695
And on Coal Tattoo, as you know, here:
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/04/16/protests-against-massey-continue/#comments
So I think the Gazette both in the print edition and online acknowledged this protest. And I would add that the Gazette — both in print and especially online in this blog — has covered these protests far more than any West Virginia media outlet. If someone has done more, please point it out to me.
Best, Ken.
Ken,
Thanks,
I get the Rock Creek edition which didn’t have the story and I could find nothing on the net. The Gazette did run the sparse AP story which was just picked up by Forbes. Not complaining because the real story is getting attention regardless of how it is covered locally, and mostly through the internet. I do believe Coal Tattoo is simply the best on the subject and I was not intending to criticize your coverage here, because its been more than fair. But the AP coverage neglects to explain what is actually happening. Yes people are getting “ticketed”, but they are also physically shutting down the immoral practice of mountain top removal at great personal risk. I assume that we will hear this from Massey’s lawyers when we see them in court on May 1st. when they will ask the Judge to charge us with contempt of court. They certainly seem to see this as a serious matter.
And it is.
Mike
Mike,
I’d suggest you contact the AP Bureau in Charleston and speak with their news editor, Brian Farkas, if you are not happy with their coverage.
I’m surprised that the story didn’t make our first, early edition, which would be the one that comes to Rock Creek. But I will inquire as to why that happened and try to ensure the mistake isn’t repeated.
Ken.