Massey Energy released this statement today in response to Roselle, Hamsher and Smyth occupying the Marfork Mining Co., office in Pettus, W.Va. Here is my response:
The three arrested today have committed themselves to nonviolence and had no intention of causing harm to any individual. We regret to hear of the condition of Marfork’s secretary and hope she recovers quickly. However, Hamsher said in a call from jail that she was still working when they were driven away by police.
Last July, Massey tried during the dragline occupation to falsely claim that Climate Ground Zero protestors sent a Massey employee to the hospital. During the tree sit above Pettry Bottom last August, a Massey worker died because nobody could hear his emergency horn over the noise Massey ordered security to make to deprive the sitters of sleep. At the apparent request of his family, I am striking this sentence. For background, please see the comments below.
The same shameful logic that allows Massey to blow up mountains and destroy peoples’ lives allows them to falsely blame protestors for employee injuries. Massey is the only one here using explosives and keeping people up at night worrying about flooding and failed sludge impoundments. Who’s the real eco-terrorists?
“Yes, we agree, the county prosecutor needs to step up their enforcement of the law against Massey and their employees who engage in violence against our communities and activists,” said Judy Bonds, who was slapped at the June 23 ralley by Ruth Tucker. The county fined Tucker only $100 for her violent act, while nonviolent anti-strip mining activists have regularly been given maximum fines.
The only thing destroying West Virginia’s economy is coal and its boom-and-bust cycle. Appalachian counties that produce coal are, across the board, poorer, unhealthier and see shorter lifespans than geographically similar Appalachian counties that don’t produce coal, according to this study. Two other studies, here and here, also show that the coal industry costs government more than it pays in taxes.
Massey, the coal industry and the banks that fund them are criminal enterprises living off the government and destroying one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on the planet. As noted by the citizen’s arrest warrant the three protestors took to Marfork this morning, Massey and its executives are guilty of wanton endangerment involving destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices, a felony, for the roulette game they’re playing with Brushy Fork. Massey is also guilty of attempting to kill or injure by poison, another felony, for its role in underground slurry injection near Rawl, W.Va., Prenter, W.Va., and the surrounding communities.
As I write this, I can hear and feel Massey blasting apart the mountains around us; they must be stopped before there’s nothing left to save. Please donate to our legal defense and general funds.
Tags: Climate Ground Zero, eco-terrorists, Marfork, Massey
A man did go to the hospital, and the man that passed away at the site you mention was heard. Do you really believe that most people do not make an effort in finding the truth. These two incidents are a matter of public info. How about the false statement that a rainforest action rep. made to a radio station on June 23rd 2009 that a Mountain Action member relayed info that the dragline was started up and shaken to remove you and the 3 women charles? Here is some research and little elbow grease that will make it simple for the non-believer. Call AEP in Richmond Va, and ask them once the power was shut down if the Dragline’s power was restored at any time before you were escorted off the site. Better yet contact 101.9 and ask them about that report. Also, the Prenter injection you talk about is enormously reported and known as happening decades ago. Massey was know where in sight, and it came from an underground UNION mine. It is basic simple knowledge in understranding that an MTR site can no way inject anything into an UG mine and release it into streams, if it can maybe you can explain it. I believe, if I can recollect, the mine at Prenter was Red Parrot. Not sure but at least I tried.
[...] addition, Climate Ground Zero has posted a response to Massey’s press release here on its Web site. Among other things, it [...]
Well I will respond to the activists that acted so poorly today at MarFork Mines. You do not know our employees and nor do not you care that you caused damage to one of the most caring and loving people you could ever meet. If you wanted a protest why did you not chain yourself to the brick pillar out in the cold instead of enjoying the “coal produced electrical heat” of the building?? You should practice what you preach! I was always told as a child if you have to sneek or hide to do something, then it must be wrong. And to do something you have to hide is your concious telling you it is shameful!… do you even feel sorry for this poor lady who had no idea what you wanted, or in that fact if you would have hurt her? I hope you think long and hard over your actions, and realize that humans are worth more than trees!
you speak lies.. the miner in which you speak had people to his side in a matter of 3 minutes….get your facts straight before you go upsetting this man’s family!!!!!!!!!you need to stop using a mans “natural” death as a way to make yourselves be lifted up..i am speaking on the authority of this man’s widow….. stop using him!!!!!
It is a damn shame that you asswipes have to bring an innocent family into the mix here. Goes to show how fucking low you bastards really are!!! I hope everyone of you die a slow painful death when you die for bringing up such painful memories for this man’s family. Actually If I were this man’s family, I would look into sueing CGZ, Mike Roselle, and anyone associated with this site for providing false information about a death, and whatever else I could get.
I am sorry for these stupid pricks bringing up such a bad memory for you guys.
Yep, it is pretty low and in bad taste to bring up the unfortunate death of the man on Edwight last summer. It’s also pretty low and in bad taste to blow up mountains, poison water, and systematically destroy communities all for profit.
“You should practice what you preach” – If this is true, then if you are a proponent of strip mining, try destroying the land that you live on and poisoning your own water. These folks do practice what they preach – non-violent resistance to the destruction of Appalachia. Nor do they hide, they face the consequences of their action in the legal system. They stand by their words.
Climate Ground Zero is not against strip mine workers – strip mine workers are people and the general premise behind everything Climate Ground Zero and other anti-MTR organizations do is that people are worth more than money. The coal industry on the other hand really does not care about it’s workers – secretaries or drag line operators. You are seen as expenses and as soon as you are not needed, you won’t have a job.
And there is a distinction to be made here: “coal industry” does not equal “coal miners.” The coal industry uses people and machines to sell coal and make a profit. Coal miners are generally good people who do a difficult job at risk to their personal health and the safety of their community. I’ll leave it at that. But, come on Brushy, Progress, and Marfork – you probably care about each other and your fellow workers but do you really think that the coal industry is good for you, or the future of your communities? Look at what the coal industry has done to this valley and really think about it – has coal been a good friend?
Andrew sorry to tell you, but if you would like pictures of someone hiding, I have a few. He was wearing on of those (in what I would say safari hat) a hat with the string that goes around your face. Yeah that was back at the Marsh Fork grade school day with the washed up movie star. While 30 or so brave anti-MTR sat down in the road, yours truly in the hat stood, or shall I say ducked behind the state police suburban. If he, and he knows whom he is, wants to argue I would gladly distribute the pictures I took of these “facing the consequences of their actions” he gladly portrayed that day, and as you would say, I will just leave it at that. Oh and I would strike the comment about the miner and his death, but of course it’s a recurring action by some on your side. You know, like that person with the sign that day saying “don’t let my death be in vain.” Blaming the flood in Clear Fork early this decade on MTR resulting in a womans death. Not only did we have 7-10 inches of rain in 3 hours, but there was not even or still yet to be an MTR site in Clear Fork. Lies, deceit, and foolishness. You know all about it and so do we. All I know is I am still glad to be a West Virginian, you? I am not about saying a person should just admit when their showing a little bit of idiocrisy, but agreeing with charles’ post, that is exactly what a person should admit.
Progress, I wasn’t there on the 23rd of June, so I don’t know who you are talking about.
Kayford is up above Clear Fork and has been going since the 90s at least. 7 to 10 inches of rain in 3 hours is sure to cause some damage in most places – but with a good portion of an area’s water-absorbing capacity replaced with rock faces and valley fills, it’s bound to lead to more water getting to the bottom of the hollers faster – meaning more damage. That said, I was not there, nor am I a hydrologist.
I do think when folks point to a single person’s death it distracts from the real issue, which is the slow and steady degradation of life in the shadow of strip mining. But everyone wants to make a point on all sides – some do it with profanity and some with hyperbole and some with highfalutin speeches. it can take patience to sort through it all and choose what you think is right, but it’s something more people ought to do.
This is sick. I believe someone needs to get the correct facts on the death of the Edwight surface miner in August. I am a friend of both the deceased and his wife and I am truly disgusted to see his tragic death painted in such a light. Please get your facts straight before using an innocent person and already suffering family to spread your lies and propaganda.
Thank you Andrew for your thoughtful and kind words.
can we protest by a public campaign to boycott of Massey products?
My apologies to the man and his family who died on Edwight back in August. I did not mean to be insensitive nor did I mean to use his death. It was terribly unfortunate and if I got my facts wrong I apologize. I was attempting to show a pattern where Massey, and indeed the coal industry, holds profit to a higher value than a person’s life. The industry has long held that the mule is more important than the man.
Wealthy people in big cities have lived extravagant lives on the backs of Appalachians for generations. Many workplace rights we have today, which are taken for granted by many Americans, were won with the blood of Appalachians. It is never my intention to use anyone’s death or suffering as a way to lift up myself or others.
Charles, it takes a man to do that. Andrew, when I a person raised by a WV family that settled here in the 1800′s. no doubtedly bleeds Blue and Gold must say I agree with you in a slight way. A true WV and community neighbor if you will, will see that it’s not strip mining, it’s not any job at all. It is and if you are active as you say would know that it’s DRUGS killing our old, middle age, and our youth. Point Blank.
thank you for your apologies and your attempt at editing with putting a line through the sentence in which you spoke of my dear friend.. but i feel it should be completely removed… it can still be read through the thin line you placed through it….
The first thing you need to get in your heads is that no one cares about you or what you’re doing. The only thing your accomplishing is looking stupid. When you go sit in the middle of the road all it does is make us think “Why in the hell would anyone sit in a road? Have they lost their minds?” Its all for laughing over coffee.
Business is about operating as according to what is best for your company and employees – not by what some small group of hippies think is best. Thought I wouldn’t expect most of you to understand that, what do you know about business? Go get a real job.
You are just like the media, you operate by spreading propaganda and fear tactics and false rumors. Go ahead, waste all the time you want. All you’re accomplishing by sitting in roads, serving these ridiculous ‘citizens arrest warrants’, and having washed up movie stars get arrested, is making yourselves look like a joke. Do you think you are making an impact on Blankenship or any of them?
Protesting Massey products? what will that accomplish? Do you think power companies care if you think they mine coal in the wrong way? Theyve got a service to provide as well, and I promise you, they don’t care either. They aren’t going to cost themselves God knows how many millions and customers just for you. We aren’t going anywhere, so get used to it. Everyone but you seems to know the importance of coal and the amount people like Massey mines.
Have fun freezing in the dark in your own little world.
Friends of Coal, I don’t think the protestors look ridiculous nor do many, many of my friends and aquaintenances. We all do have “real” jobs and when I say that I assume by “real” job you mean one that pays money. There are many real jobs out there where no monetary compensation is involved, however, and many are considered very honorable. It is becoming more and more apparent that “you” are the ones looking ridiculous because people like Don Blankenship have “you” all so fooled into thinking they actually care about you and your families. People outside our state just attribute it to that fact that “oh well, they are stupid hillbilly’s”. He and other mining companies are making you look like a bunch of circus monkeys. They throw you a few peanuts to get you to do their dirty work then when the coal is gone and/or you are not able to do the tricks any longer they will be gone. Their pockets will be fat and you will be left with nothing except ruined mountains, dirty water and polluted air. Renewable clean energy is going to happen. Check out Bloom Energy. Look at the stock predictions for companies producing wind and solar….(hint…they are beginning to soar). I’m sorry but I admire the people that “sit in the middle of the road”….I find their actions to be heroic and I will support them any way I can. Even if that means working extra shifts to be able to send them money to pay their fines.
thanks to the folks who locked down in the office. i read massey’s statement. i don’t know anything about what went on there but i hope that lady is ok. i do know many of the folks associated with climate ground zero and i can say that it’s laughable that they are “trying to provoke massey members”. “members”? what is massey a union? nope he meant massey workers. he said the activists are more and more aggressive. don blankenship is eith seriously delusional or is just plain evil and doesn’t care two licks about the lies he tells and their consequences. Coal River Mountain Watch, Mountain Justice, Climate Ground Zero and to the little extent that it’s operated in WV, Earth First! have always been totally non-violent and have never so much as put a nick on a machine. meanwhile Massey is blowing up mountains, burrying or poisoning waterways, making people sick and turning a huge profit, most of which goes to the top dogs and the investors, not the people of appalachia. and let’s not forget that during the most recent tree-sit massey’s security gaurds used noise-makers and even tied a rope to a small tree and repeatedly pulled it back to cause it to hit one of the platforms which i can only perceive as being an attempt to knock one of the non-violent protesters out of tree, likely to their death or very serious injury at least. local activists are subject to death threats all the time. judy bonds was slapped in the face in front of hundreds of people. the environmental and human justice movement in appalachia has remained non-violent while the coal industry itself and many of it’s supporters have been overtly violent.
thanks climate ground zero.
w
eM. stocks beginning to soar because excise tax is on it’s way. I don’t like it, you don’t like it. See for yourself. Oh, and it’s umm government hoo hoo’s doing the funding. Why not invest? Seems though it’s not a rapid advancement.
w,
please get your head out of the sand. Non-violent? Please. 100+ arrest is not non-violent. Two people sent to the hospital directly caused by the actions of your group. Yet you say pro-coal folks are violent. You really don’t think the people of WV are buying that, do you? What kind of crap are you trying to spread?
And West Virginian’s wonder why other’s see us as ignorant hillbilly’s…..we let Massey Coal Co. buy our elected officials….this is disgusting and Don Blankenship is disgusting
http://nrswealth.com/index.php/2010/02/massey-coals-don-blankenship-shows-his-hand/
eM, when fish aren’t biting, don’t change fishing holes, change bait.