Roland Micklem. Photo courtesy of West Virginia Regional Jail Authority.
HOLDEN, W.Va.—James McGuinness was released from the West Virginia Southwestern Regional Jail yesterday, just as Roland Micklem was turning himself in to serve his 20-day sentence. Micklem’s sentence is from when he, along with McGuinness, Joe Hamsher and Fred Williamson, blocked the entrance to Massey Energy’s regional headquarters outside Madison, W.Va., last September.
“People there [in jail] liked what I was doing with MTR,” McGuinness said when discussing his time spent in Southwestern Regional. “Jail was fine and I got along with everyone.” McGuinness served his 21-day sentence for his participation in the September blockade. This action is part of the larger campaign to end mountaintop removal mining and to bring attention to the coal industry’s horrible business practices.
Hey Roland and others – thank you for taking a stand on behalf of the environment and the creatures who walk this planet – large and small.
Thank you – with you in spirit
Patti of Rochester