Early this morning, a group of concerned citizens launched a daring protest in which they scaled the boom of a dragline at Massey Energy’s Twilight Mine in Southern West Virginia, to unfurl a huge banner that says, “Stop Mountaintop Removal.”
[I have edited this post, to remove the use of the word "daring," because it gave some readers the impression that I was admiring the protesters for doing this. That was not my intent. I was thinking of daring as a word used the way my dictionary defines it: venturesomely bold in action or thought. I'm sure readers from both sides will criticize this editing, but I simply wanted to remove the word because it was being read a way different from what I had intended]
The Web site Mountain Action is providing details, and activists are also tweeting the action via MtnAction.
BUT, there is a report from The Associated Press that Massey Energy spokesman Jeff Gillenwater says “a worker … [at the mine] has been injured by anti-mining protesters.” The AP report, by business writer Tim Huber, says the miner “was being examined at a hospital after a confrontation” at the Boone County strip mine.
Jeff Biggers at The Huffington Post has a report on the unfolding events, and here’s what a news release from the protest organizers said:
This is the first time a dragline has been scaled on a mountaintop removal site, and marks the latest in a string of increasingly dramatic protests in West Virginia by residents and allies from across the country. This act of protest against mountaintop removal comes just days after the Obama Administration announced a plan to reform, but not abolish, the aggressive strip mining practice.
I checked in with a spokesman for the West Virginia State Police, and he did not yet have any details on the incident. Stay tuned …
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This is fantastic news and hopefully the MSM will pick up on this so that the rest of the country understands the devastating impact of turning on their light switches. The eastern panhandle residents opposed to the PATH powerline are holding a “Green-Out” this Sunday evening, more details can be found on Howley’s blog. MTR must end this year under our new progressive president’s watchful eye.
These “criminals” (actvists) should be thrown in jail. The miners at these operations are trying to earn a wage to support their family. By entering on mine property they are endangering the welfare of the people who are simply trying to provide for their families. I would hope that something more serious than trespassing is handed out to the indivduals who participated in this criminal act.
Come on now, get serious.
I recall the 5-lb. boxes of roofing nails tossed in front of coal trucks, rocks through windshields and bullet holes in everything.
I remember, in the 1970s, my wife being confronted several times for being married to a state reclamation inspector.
Glorifying such abusive confrontations is as sick as doing them.
[Required addendum] I was with OSMRE (1978-1995).
Readers,
I’m going to ask everyone to calm down, and not go making statements about what did or didn’t happen until more information is provided.
Ken.
I have to wonder where the ultimate responsibility lies if one of the protesters or police officers is injured or worse falls to their death. These groups who encourage and participate in these actions should be held liable.
its all fun and games until someone does end up getting killed then who wil be to blame?
I find it interesting that the “journalist” that consistently reports only a negative view of the actions of government and often gives them no opportunity to respond, now wants everyone to withold judgement until more information can be made available and the accused can offer an explanation.
Hey Ward. You have a delete button don’t you?
Claiming a miner has been “injured by anti-mining protesters†is clearly a tactic of the coal industry to combat the message of the action. The AP should be ashamed for printing such propaganda! These concerned citizens are absolutely non-violent and would sacrifice their own safety before that of a miner. My understanding is that the miner had a pre-existing condition, and history of stroke, when he became short of breath, nowhere near the protesters. I am sorry for his current condition, as I’m sure the protesters are as well. This is unfortunate but should in no way jeopardize the message of this action. Mountaintop removal is sacrificing land, humans, and heritage and is quite possibly the greatest environmental and human rights violation in this country… perpetuated by our government on our citizens! May God have mercy on the souls of coal execs and the politicians who support them!
Let’s wait and see what really happened to this worker. I’ve heard that the guy had a pre existing condition and was not even near the protesters, that he was short of breath and laid down. I don’t know that to be true as yet, but that is what I am hearing. It seems to me that a reporter, perhaps Mr. Ward could call Massey and ask what is the nature of the injury and what caused it. He’s probably already done that, but I expect Massey to play this as long as they can.
Now, as far as these folks going onto a drag line, here is my take.
Surface mining control regulatory agencies responsible for protecting the people were long ago captured by the coal industry and have failed in their responsibility to protect the people. The growing aggressiveness of mountaintop removal operations has created an emergency situation. The people are now being forced to protect themselves.
Readers,
I certainly am seeking more information from all involved to find out what happened here … here’s a bit of what I know so far …
I was told by some of the PR folks for the protesters to call and talk to one of the folks who was arrested, because this fellow saw the whole thing. I did so, and the protester told me he didn’t see the whole thing and couldn’t say what happened. I spoke to several other protesters who also said they could not say for sure what happened.
I also contacted State Police and Massey, but have not gotten any information back from them.
Finally, I did get some information from a spokeswoman from the state Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, based on an eyewitness report from a state inspector who was there at the time. The spokeswoman, Jama Jarrett, told me, “protestors “rushed” a dragline operator. He was sent to the hospital but I do not know the extent of his injuries.”
Jarrett did tell me, in a follow-up phone call, that she did not know what happened after the protesters “rushed” the worker — there is not independent information here about exactly how this fellow was hurt. I’m hoping to get more later.
“We do not have a written report or additional details at this time. Our inspector just happened to be there during this commotion and reported what had happened.”
I’d again ask everyone to not speculate about what did or didn’t happen, and to stop any further posting of rumors or heresay, I’m going to turn off the comments function on this particular post for now.
Ken.