Brian Damage
06-23-2009, 11:28 PM
SUNDIAL -- Climate scientist James Hansen and actress Daryl Hannah were cited Tuesday in an effort to stop mountaintop removal mining.
The group of several hundred were protesting mountaintop mining and a coal silo location near Marsh Fork Elementary in the Coal River Valley.
According to the protest spokespeople, among those cited were NASA climate scientist James Hansen, former Congressman and Secretary of State Ken Hechler, actress Daryl Hannah, Michael Brune of Rainforest Action Network, Goldman Winner Judy Bonds and more than a dozen area residents.
State Police released that 32 people were cited for impeding traffic. The protestors sat down on Route 3 near the entrance to the Massey Energy owned mine, but did not trespass on Massey property during the rally or demonstration.
Troopers said one arrest was made, a Raleigh County woman was arrested and charged with battery.
According to authorities, she posted bail.
The group was protesting Massey Energy in the wake of the Obama Administration's announcement that the EPA will reform, but not abolish, the aggressive strip mining practice.
Tuesday's protest happened just days before a congressional hearing titled "The Impacts of Mountaintop Removal Mining on Water Quality in Appalachia."
West Virginia Media has contacted Massey for a comment on the protest and arrests. We are awaiting a response and will bring you the latest as soon as it is made available.
http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=61540
The group of several hundred were protesting mountaintop mining and a coal silo location near Marsh Fork Elementary in the Coal River Valley.
According to the protest spokespeople, among those cited were NASA climate scientist James Hansen, former Congressman and Secretary of State Ken Hechler, actress Daryl Hannah, Michael Brune of Rainforest Action Network, Goldman Winner Judy Bonds and more than a dozen area residents.
State Police released that 32 people were cited for impeding traffic. The protestors sat down on Route 3 near the entrance to the Massey Energy owned mine, but did not trespass on Massey property during the rally or demonstration.
Troopers said one arrest was made, a Raleigh County woman was arrested and charged with battery.
According to authorities, she posted bail.
The group was protesting Massey Energy in the wake of the Obama Administration's announcement that the EPA will reform, but not abolish, the aggressive strip mining practice.
Tuesday's protest happened just days before a congressional hearing titled "The Impacts of Mountaintop Removal Mining on Water Quality in Appalachia."
West Virginia Media has contacted Massey for a comment on the protest and arrests. We are awaiting a response and will bring you the latest as soon as it is made available.
http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=61540