CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Roland Micklem, 81, marked his tenth day of fasting in the West Virginia State Capitol today. Having set neither demands nor preconditions for its termination, Micklem says his fast is an expression of his grief over the loss of biodiversity caused by mountaintop removal.
He released this summary of the day’s experience at the close of his tenth day:
An interview with Uncommon Productions was pretty much an expansion of the message on my sign. I gave a brief history of experiences in my life which led me to do this fast, including my years as a naturalist and teacher, my awe and appreciation of the hundreds of life forms I had gotten to know during my life, and my sadness over their dwindling numbers as time marched on.
I touched on the political, and acknowledged that my presence in the state capitol instead of on the top of a distant mountain would be more likely to exert the kind of influence that we needed to adopt environment friendly policies.
I was asked several specific questions, one of which was my opinion of Don Blankenship, and another concerning the loud presence of those mining faction at Monday’s rally.
However evil others may wish to perceive him, I refuse to demonize Don Blankenship, especially since I wouldn’t recognize him if he walked through the door. I ascribe to the Quaker belief that there is “something of God in every person,” and this holds true for Mr. B. as well as the boisterous guys with red stripes on their clothes.
My visit with Ken Hechler was an exchange of friendly chitchat between two elderly geezers.
Micklem speaks at the DEP on December 7 after one week of fasting.
On Monday, Dec. 7, he shared the podium with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Judy Bonds, former congressman Ken Hechler, and other movement leaders as he spoke
to a crowd of three hundred West Virginians and allies rallying for a halt to blasting on Coal River Mountain at the W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection. Met by two hundred pro-mountaintop-removal counter protestors, he spoke of the common humanity shared by the two assembled crowds despite their deep disagreement over mountaintop removal.
His presence in the capitol is not going unnoticed, “One man came over, shook my hand, and said something to the effect of ‘keep up the good work.’ The Governor himself came over to chat with me. He assured me he was doing all he could–not specifically to stop mountaintop removal, but to deal with the problems of coal mining and coal usage. Talked briefly about a ‘land use’ bill, requiring applications for permits before certain things could be done with with the land. Also about developing carbon sequestration, about which he is considerably more enthusiastic than I.”
He reports that he is holding up well in spite of his abstinence from food. “Save for a tendency to get a little chillier than normal after I’ve sat awhile, I’m feeling fine and will have to remember to dress warmer than usual when I set out in the morning,” Micklem said.
When asked of the course ahead as he continues his fast he responded, “It’s being dictated by a Higher Power, and has not at this point been revealed to me.”
thank you, Roland, for your courageous efforts!
Dear Mr. Micklem – Thanks so much for what you’re doing and for your commitment and courage. Stay warm.
Roland, Friends way out in Colorado are watching. Our prayers are with you. Stay well.
Go Roland!! You are my hero and a national treasure! Please take good care of yourself during your fast!!
I live in Ca. but am following you crusade and support your beliefs and well being… Take care of yourself…We need more people like you in this world.
STOP FASTING RIGHT NOW !!!!!!! You are going to die, like my Mom, and the commis are going to do whatever they want, we need you, you valiant,brave man. That is an ORDER from the daughter of THE HIGHER POWER. LET someone else do it ,in this case. Verstehen!!!!!
Mr. Micklem, thank you for you efforts. Greatly admired from Michigan.
Mr Micklem, Could you help me find the verse that says you should publicize fasting?
Still searching?