I spent last weekend in West Virginia, because I'd been hearing about the coal-fields so much and really just needed to go myself. 150 of us camped for the weekend at the tiny bit of land in Rock Creek, huddling around the campfire and learning about what it will take to stop mountaintop removal once and for all.
The weekend was inspiring and much more hopeful than I had expected. Hopeful because we are winning this fight. The coal enthusiasts are more and more on the fringe, and the movement to stop it is growing fast.
However, that fight isn't cheap. Please read-on for the heroic actions taken just this week, and why we need $16,000 in bail. Remember, its a pretty small price to pay, compared to the $35 million the coal industry spends lobbying to promote itself.
Click here for photos from the action. (I wish Kos could embed Picasa images...)
From the Climate Ground Zero blog
This morning, just before dawn, four individuals chained themselves across a haul road on a strip mining site in Kanawha County, West Virginia to protest mountaintop removal mining. Four more joined them on site in support roles, unfurling two banners, one reading simply "Stop" and the other reading "Stop Mountaintop Removal." This action was part of the ongoing Climate Ground Zero and Mountain Justice campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience.
All eight have been arrested and charged with trespassing asked to leave, conspiracy and obstruction. Bail is set at $2000, cash only, with no ten percent bond option. The arrestees include Ryan Olander, Maureen Farrell, Jonathan Irwin, Erika Zarowin, Andrea Lai, Alexander Lotorto, William Wickham and Jacqueline Quimby. In order to meet bail, totalling $16,000, for these individuals who took a stand against an incredibly destructive form of coal mining and the human and environmental devastation of Appalachia, we need your help.
To donate, please visit the Climate Ground Zero legal fund paypal here.