Joe Hamsher, one of three arrested for occupying Marfork Coal Company’s main office in order to deliver a citizen’s arrest warrant to Marfork President, Christopher Blanchard, and Massey CEO, Don Blankenship, was released Thursday for a cash-only bail amount of $5,000. Mike Roselle and Tom Smyth remain in jail, held for a combined total of $12,500.
Upon release, Hamsher expressed concern for his fellow comrades still held in Southern Regional Jail and stressed the need for additional funds for the campaign. “We’ve put the pressure on Massey and they’re not making it easy, but that’s just proof we need to continue what we’re doing,” Hamsher said.
With the recent black water spill into Clear Fork River and the anniversary of the Buffalo Creek Disaster, we are reminded that neither coal companies like Massey Energy and Pioneer Fuel nor the West Virginia DEP have a history of adequately protecting public health and safety. Please contribute to the struggle by donating to Climate Ground Zero.
The book not do well? 8050 retired. Now what?
Mr. Roselle’s dedication to the “cause” doesn’t seem to be strong enough for him to reach into his own pockets.
Roselle’s heroic dedication to the cause means his pockets are usualy empty. No one has given more.
Will send what I can now. When I win the powerball lottery maybe we’ll just buy Massey Coal Company and shut her down.
Oh, so I take it Rosele’s book is a sales flop? or could it be the corporate book world has taken advantage of poor Mike?
From a Business Point of View, I can understand why CGZ is pissing away its resources in such a manner. You guys have to approach this problem in a different way. If I approached to donate money to your cause, the first thing I would ask is what is your business plan. The public has lost interest in your tree sitting and I consider the bail money, a sunk cost. Do think that you accomplised any thing with this latest stunt. NOT!
You guys need a better strategy. How about getting a designated fund raiser for your organization? You should also roll this into a recuriting event. How about going to different colleges during the year and line up volunteers. Get some new blood into the fight. You need to get some big money behind you. You should also acquire a grant writer to drum up some funds by hitting up the Ted Turners of the world.
I would also put some heat on Don Blankenship. How about posting some pictures of his life style compared to the people in your area. Some pictures of his mansion compared to the proverty in the area. This guy is his worst enemy. Gov Manchin hates this guy. You should play the two against each other.
How about trying to get your cause turned into a reality show? That would generate some cash. How about revsing your website to protray a more postitive message. All the posts from the CGZ members make you sound like a bunch of whinners. I would not protray a victim. You need to show more strength.
Okay, not sure what side of the issue Mark is on but I think he has some good ideas. Not saying they aren’t already being done but they are good ideas. I’m not sure Manchin hates Blankenship though. I’m kind of thinking Manchin is in his back pocket like most of the other people. Yeah, people that don’t live in the coal fields can’t understand why in the hell we are allowing these coal companies to do what they are doing. We are some of the most economically depressed areas in the United States. The money from the coal is not staying here and these people are letting the likes of Massey Energy and Don Blankenship make fools out of them. He’s counting on us living up to the stereotype of being dumbass hillbilly’s and it appears that most are more than happy to oblige him. God, it makes me sick to my stomach. Come on people wake up.
You can take that stereotype if you want eM, run with it!