20 People Arrested for Protesting Mountaintop Removal in West Virginia
Friends of the Appalachian Mountains,
20
people have been arrested and are currently jailed in West Virginia for
a courageous act of non-violent civil disobedience against mountaintop
removal mining last weekend. These folks are currently under a bond of
$25,000 per person, and this excessively high bond means that the
protestors cannot be released until the funds are raised to bail them
out. We do not have anything close to this amount of money, so we need
your help.
Please donate to help raise bail for these activists http://bit.ly/mj-legal
Last
week, as part of a massive "Mountain Mobilization" organized by RAMPS -
Radical Action for Mountain People's Survival, folks walked onto
Patriot Coal's Hobet mountaintop removal mine as a non-violent protest
against this form of coal mining, where coal companies blast the tops
off the Appalachian Mountains, destroying the forests and every living
thing on the mountain. Over 500 mountains in Appalachia have already
been flattened by this form of mining. Coal companies dump enormous
amounts of mining waste rock and debris into precious headwater mountain
streams in mountaintop removal, and the landscape is permanently
altered.
week, as part of a massive "Mountain Mobilization" organized by RAMPS -
Radical Action for Mountain People's Survival, folks walked onto
Patriot Coal's Hobet mountaintop removal mine as a non-violent protest
against this form of coal mining, where coal companies blast the tops
off the Appalachian Mountains, destroying the forests and every living
thing on the mountain. Over 500 mountains in Appalachia have already
been flattened by this form of mining. Coal companies dump enormous
amounts of mining waste rock and debris into precious headwater mountain
streams in mountaintop removal, and the landscape is permanently
altered.
Burning
coal is the largest source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and
carbon dioxide is the leading contributor to global warming.
coal is the largest source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and
carbon dioxide is the leading contributor to global warming.
Earlier
this summer, in the midst of the two-week heat wave that roasted much
of the country, West Virginia was blasted by a derecho - a straight line
wind of near-hurricane force that toppled trees and power lines,
leaving some West Virginians without power for up to 14 days. Check out
the scary and crazy pictures of the derecho as it formed over Chicago on June 29.
this summer, in the midst of the two-week heat wave that roasted much
of the country, West Virginia was blasted by a derecho - a straight line
wind of near-hurricane force that toppled trees and power lines,
leaving some West Virginians without power for up to 14 days. Check out
the scary and crazy pictures of the derecho as it formed over Chicago on June 29.
With
the record heat wave this summer and the forest fires in Colorado, it
is worrisome to contemplate what may lie ahead for all of us as the
earth heats up. To get an idea what may happen, its important to
consider the positive feedback mechanisms of climate change.
the record heat wave this summer and the forest fires in Colorado, it
is worrisome to contemplate what may lie ahead for all of us as the
earth heats up. To get an idea what may happen, its important to
consider the positive feedback mechanisms of climate change.
For
example, as the earth's temperature increases, forests dry out and
burn, leading to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That's a
positive feedback loop, and there are many of them in global warming.
Watch this short 11-minute animated film,
which I believe is the best explanation of the feedbak mechanisms that
may be the greatest danger of global warming. This film by Leo Murray
is excellent and concise, and I highly recommend it.
example, as the earth's temperature increases, forests dry out and
burn, leading to more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. That's a
positive feedback loop, and there are many of them in global warming.
Watch this short 11-minute animated film,
which I believe is the best explanation of the feedbak mechanisms that
may be the greatest danger of global warming. This film by Leo Murray
is excellent and concise, and I highly recommend it.
Bill McKibben, author of "The End of Nature" writes in Rolling Stone:
If the pictures of those towering wildfires in Colorado haven't
convinced you, or the size of your AC bill this summer, here are some
hard numbers about climate change: June broke or tied 3,215
high-temperature records across the United States. That followed the
warmest May on record for the Northern Hemisphere – the 327th
consecutive month in which the temperature of the entire globe exceeded
the 20th-century average ...Meteorologists reported that this spring was the warmest ever
recorded for our nation – in fact, it crushed the old record by so much
that it represented the "largest temperature departure from average of
any season on record."
We
need to act urgently to address climate change, and these young
activists in West Virginia aren't just sitting on their hands worrying
about the problem - they are taking action.
need to act urgently to address climate change, and these young
activists in West Virginia aren't just sitting on their hands worrying
about the problem - they are taking action.
We need donations now to get these 20 people out of jail in WV for
their acts of civil disobedience in shutting down a mountaintop removal mine site.
their acts of civil disobedience in shutting down a mountaintop removal mine site.
Please help spread the word! Below is a press release from RAMPS:
Donate now, and share with your friends! http://bit.ly/mj-legal
Contact: Contact:
Charles Suggs or Mathew Louis-Rosenberg
Charles Suggs or Mathew Louis-Rosenberg
304-449-NVDA
(6832), media@wg.rampscampaign.org
(6832), media@wg.rampscampaign.org
Twenty
arrested at Hobet mine, held on $500,000 combined bail
arrested at Hobet mine, held on $500,000 combined bail
Police
allow extensive harassment of protesters
allow extensive harassment of protesters
Barboursville,
W.Va. - More than 50 people affiliated with the R.A.M.P.S. Campaign stopped
mining work for three hours on Patriot Coal’s Hobet mine in Lincoln County
yesterday, the largest number of people ever to disrupt an active mountaintop
removal site. Protesters walked onto the Hobet 45 mining complex with
banners reading: “Restore our mountains; re-employ our miners” and “Coal Leaves;
Cancer Stays.” Twenty people were arrested and are being held on bail of
$25,000 each at the Western Regional Jail. Multiple arrestees, including
20-year-old Dustin Steele of Matewan, W.Va., were reportedly beaten by
authorities in custody. R.A.M.P.S. and supporters are calling for an immediate
reduction in bail and the immediate transfer of Dustin Steele to a hospital to
document and treat his injuries.
W.Va. - More than 50 people affiliated with the R.A.M.P.S. Campaign stopped
mining work for three hours on Patriot Coal’s Hobet mine in Lincoln County
yesterday, the largest number of people ever to disrupt an active mountaintop
removal site. Protesters walked onto the Hobet 45 mining complex with
banners reading: “Restore our mountains; re-employ our miners” and “Coal Leaves;
Cancer Stays.” Twenty people were arrested and are being held on bail of
$25,000 each at the Western Regional Jail. Multiple arrestees, including
20-year-old Dustin Steele of Matewan, W.Va., were reportedly beaten by
authorities in custody. R.A.M.P.S. and supporters are calling for an immediate
reduction in bail and the immediate transfer of Dustin Steele to a hospital to
document and treat his injuries.
The
remainder of the demonstrators walked off the site when asked to leave by
police. Authorities prevented their transport vehicles from driving down the
public road to pick them up, forcing them to walk for four hours along the side
of Mud River Road while allowing pro-coal demonstrators to harass them. After
reuniting with their transport vehicles, they were barricaded on the road for
an hour and a half by a blockade of miners in pickup trucks. A separate
convoy of vehicles attempting to pick up demonstrators was blocked in by
pro-coal demonstrators at a gas station where three individuals were pepper-sprayed.
Pro-coal demonstrators were not stopped by police in their multiple
attempts to block public roads.
remainder of the demonstrators walked off the site when asked to leave by
police. Authorities prevented their transport vehicles from driving down the
public road to pick them up, forcing them to walk for four hours along the side
of Mud River Road while allowing pro-coal demonstrators to harass them. After
reuniting with their transport vehicles, they were barricaded on the road for
an hour and a half by a blockade of miners in pickup trucks. A separate
convoy of vehicles attempting to pick up demonstrators was blocked in by
pro-coal demonstrators at a gas station where three individuals were pepper-sprayed.
Pro-coal demonstrators were not stopped by police in their multiple
attempts to block public roads.
"The
blatant cooperation between law enforcement and the coal industry makes me
embarrassed as a West Virginian. This brutality and disregard for safety is one
of the clearest examples of the hold the coal industry has on the state
government," said Junior Walk of Whitesville, W.Va.
blatant cooperation between law enforcement and the coal industry makes me
embarrassed as a West Virginian. This brutality and disregard for safety is one
of the clearest examples of the hold the coal industry has on the state
government," said Junior Walk of Whitesville, W.Va.
Earlier
in the day, about 30 people gathered at the Kanawha State Forest. They
were met by about 60 counter-protesters before leaving to join the protest, but
the tone turned non-confrontational as one miner struck up a lengthy dialogue
with a local protester over the economic future of the region. Police arrested
one activist who they accused of lying to them about not having identification.
The only identification on him was a debit card--not a valid form of ID.
After several hours, he was released with a ticket on the side of Rt. 94
far from any town and forced to hitchhike because police had confiscated his cell
phone and debit card. An independent journalist was also arrested for
photographing the incident.
in the day, about 30 people gathered at the Kanawha State Forest. They
were met by about 60 counter-protesters before leaving to join the protest, but
the tone turned non-confrontational as one miner struck up a lengthy dialogue
with a local protester over the economic future of the region. Police arrested
one activist who they accused of lying to them about not having identification.
The only identification on him was a debit card--not a valid form of ID.
After several hours, he was released with a ticket on the side of Rt. 94
far from any town and forced to hitchhike because police had confiscated his cell
phone and debit card. An independent journalist was also arrested for
photographing the incident.
Recent
studies have found a 42 percent increase in risk of birth defects
studies have found a 42 percent increase in risk of birth defects
around
strip mines, http://crmw.net/resources/health-impacts.php and miners who spend at least 20 years
as strip-mine drillers have a 61 percent chance of contracting silicosis, a
virulent form of black lung.
strip mines, http://crmw.net/resources/health-impacts.php and miners who spend at least 20 years
as strip-mine drillers have a 61 percent chance of contracting silicosis, a
virulent form of black lung.
“The coal companies are poisoning our
water and air, and they’re treating the workers no better than the land –
fighting workplace health and safety protections to get the most out of labor
as they can,” said Junior Walk of Whitesville, W.Va.
water and air, and they’re treating the workers no better than the land –
fighting workplace health and safety protections to get the most out of labor
as they can,” said Junior Walk of Whitesville, W.Va.
As coal
production declines, protesters are concerned that the region will be left with illness and environmental devastation as the
industry pulls out of the region and companies
file for bankruptcy to shed legacy costs
a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://wvgazette.com/News/201207200150?page=2&build=cache" style="outline: none;">http://wvgazette.com/News/201207200150?page=2&build=cache>.
production declines, protesters are concerned that the region will be left with illness and environmental devastation as the
industry pulls out of the region and companies
file for bankruptcy to shed legacy costs
a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://wvgazette.com/News/201207200150?page=2&build=cache" style="outline: none;">http://wvgazette.com/News/201207200150?page=2&build=cache>.
Patriot
Coal is currently going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, in which union contracts and pensions could be on the chopping
block. Both UMWA pensions and the state’s Special Reclamation Fund are
funded through a per-ton tax on coal. With Central Appalachian coal
production in the middle of a projected six-year, 50 percent decline a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/archive/aeo11/source_coal.cfm" style="outline: none;">http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/archive/aeo11/source_coal.cfm>,this funding stream
is increasingly unsustainable. Protesters are calling on the coal industry and government to both to honor
commitments to retired workers and to restore the land.
Coal is currently going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, in which union contracts and pensions could be on the chopping
block. Both UMWA pensions and the state’s Special Reclamation Fund are
funded through a per-ton tax on coal. With Central Appalachian coal
production in the middle of a projected six-year, 50 percent decline a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/archive/aeo11/source_coal.cfm" style="outline: none;">http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/archive/aeo11/source_coal.cfm>,this funding stream
is increasingly unsustainable. Protesters are calling on the coal industry and government to both to honor
commitments to retired workers and to restore the land.
“Coal
companies must employ their surface mine workers in reclaiming all disturbed land to the highest standards. Instead of
arguing about the ‘war on
coal,’ political leaders should immediately allocate funds to retrain and re-employ laid off miners to secure a healthy future
for the families of this region,” said R.A.M.P.S.
spokesperson Mathew Louis-Rosenberg.
companies must employ their surface mine workers in reclaiming all disturbed land to the highest standards. Instead of
arguing about the ‘war on
coal,’ political leaders should immediately allocate funds to retrain and re-employ laid off miners to secure a healthy future
for the families of this region,” said R.A.M.P.S.
spokesperson Mathew Louis-Rosenberg.
Appalachian
communities have a long, proud history of confronting the coal industry’s
exploitive practices with direct civil disobedience. R.A.M.P.S. and others have
returned to this tradition to eliminate strip mining once and for all. For
R.A.M.P.S., this has included a range of actions since 2011, from tree-sits to
blockades of coal trucks.
communities have a long, proud history of confronting the coal industry’s
exploitive practices with direct civil disobedience. R.A.M.P.S. and others have
returned to this tradition to eliminate strip mining once and for all. For
R.A.M.P.S., this has included a range of actions since 2011, from tree-sits to
blockades of coal trucks.
Saturday’s
action was just one part of this summer’s National Uprising Against Extractiona rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/07/24-8" style="outline: none;">http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/07/24-8>,
to fight oppressive extractive industries and demand a transition to a
sustainable economy.
This is an informational monthly email about mountaintop removal.
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to:
mountaintopremovalroadshow-unsubscribe@lists.riseup.net
Thanks!
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Muslims youth are also rebelling in Sweden for a fifth night in a row.
British soldier hacked to death in UK, Rebellions in Sweden, Devontae Sanford update
A video posted to youtube shows a Black Muslim who had just hacked an alleged British soldier to death. He issued a warning to others before being shot by police.
War in these streets and our soldiers seem to be MIA
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There is a war going on in these streets and as we just celebrated the birthday of Malcolm X, I would hate to know what he would think about the lack of response of our young women and men being killed in these streets by thug ass murderous cops and thug ass murderous criminals in our communities. Children don't feel safe walking to school let alone going to school and yet there has been very little response from the community to meet the security needs. Union City cops shoot a brother 8 times in the back of the head and we ain't heard nothing from the people about it in corporate media.
How do you feel about the NOI bringing in white men from Scientology to teach their members non-African concepts and spirituality? What the hell is going on with them brothers and sisters? After seeing photos of one of these Scientology creeps taking the podium at a NOI meeting, many people are saying WTF!
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BTR News: Stop the Genocide Now w/ Carl Dix
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Tonight revolutionary brother Carl Dix joins the broadcast to inform us about an upcoming event he and Cornel West will be hosting in NYC to stop the maddening mass incarceration going on in the United States.
"Mass Incarceration + Silence = Genocide. Act to STOP it Now!" Monday May 20, 2013, 7:30pm, The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew 263 W. 86th St (between Broadway and West End Ave), #1 train to 86th, For tickets: 212-691-3345 or online @ http://revolutionbooknyc.org
In 1996, Dix co-founded the October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of Generation. Most recently, Dix has been a central figure in the campaign to Stop "Stop and Frisk" aimed at opposing the New York Police Department's efforts to stop hundreds of thousands of people in New York City and frisk them for weapons, drugs or other items. Dix has long addressed questions about imperialist war, revolutionary struggles and the oppression of Black people.
Other news out of New York pertaining to the NYPD Gestapo & Frisk campaign against Black people. The newly appointed Black Chief of Department wastes no time in fulfilling his duties as a racially showcased weapon of mass confusion as he goes to a white borough to tell them Gestapo & Frisks is not racial profiling.
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Health updates for Political Prisoners
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Paulette Dauteuil, General Secretary of the Jericho Movement will be joining us tonight on Political Prisoner Radio to update us on the health of several political prisoners being held by the US government.
Many of our comrades who fought for the social/political/human rights of the masses are now fighting to get adequate treatment for their health issues developed in some cases because of the poor conditions under which they are held. In some cases, they are literally fighting for their lives. We will do our best to give you the latest information.
Political captives we hope to update you on are Mutulu Shakur, Norberto Gonzalez, Mondo We Langa and Lynne Stewart.
Mumia, Assata & Malcolm w/ Zayid Muhammad
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POP is planning another protest at Cineplex 12, Newark’s only major theater which stirred up controversy after it refused to show the new film titled "MUMIA: Long Distance Revolutionary" which focuses on political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal and his contribution as an author and commentator.
We will also get his thoughts on the recent addition of Assata Shakur to the FBI's most wanted "terrorist" list and the erection of the FBI billboards of Assata in Newark.
Finally we discuss the constantly changing stories coming from the media about the killing of Malcolm X's grandson Malcolm Shabazz who was talked into traveling to Mexico by deported Mexican activist Miguel Suarez who many say has holes in his account of what happened.
Malcolm Shabazz murdered and NYC NLG issues statements on Assata Shakur
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Join me for Political Prisoner Radio tonight to discuss the breaking news concerning the tragic murder of Malcolm Shabazz, a political and human rights activist and organizer who reportedly was found murdered today in Tijuana, Mexico.
Earlier today I spoke to attorney activist Nkechi Tiafu who shared statements from the NY National Lawyers Guild and The National Conference of Black Lawyers in reference to Assasta Shakur being labeled a "domestic terrorist" by the United States government.
On A Move w/ Sis. Pam Africa
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Join me for Political Prisoner Radio tonight with Sis. Pam Africa to discuss corporate and state sponsored environmental terrorism, seedless veggies possibly destroying the seeds in our wombs, the Newark, NJ cancellation of Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary and more.
Before we hear from Sis. Pam Africa, I want to share an important update about Sis. Assata Shakur as the United States government, perhaps angry at the attention Cuba received after Jay-Z and Beyonce visited the island which caused a new generation to question why the United States has a travel ban on the country, the FBI has double its reward for her capture and placed her on its "most wanted terrorists" list possibly making her a target for President Obama's drone assassination program.
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