Ground Zero Dispatch

[Ground Zero Dispatch] #7

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:55:00 GMT

Greetings from the Coal River Valley! Well we have certainly had a busy start to 2010, just as we had hoped. As most of you probably know by now, our first ever action camp culminated with a <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/nine-day-tree-sit-ends-sitters-vow-not-over-until-blasting-stops/">9-day treesit</a> on the Bee Tree Surface Mine on Coal River Mountain. Camp attendees <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverMtnHelo#5431570345231825330">Eric Blevins</a>, <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverMtnHelo#5432259296159753858">Amber Nitchman</a>, and <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverTreeSit#5430821232957138370">David A. Smith</a> took to two oak trees and one tulip poplar to prevent further construction of <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverMtnHelo#5431623915913160450">a road from the Bee Tree site to the Brushy Fork impoundment</a> where Ma ssey intends to dump a large portion of the rubble from the site. Four other folks from the camp were arrested <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/coal-river-tree-sit-day-5-inside-the-action/#more-2460">supporting the sitters</a> and <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/man-arrested-helping-tree-sit-abuse-of-sitters-continues/">attempting to re-supply them</a>. Right now Eric and Amber remain in the Southern Regional Jail on $2,500 cash-only bails. This incredibly successful action <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/treesitii-please-donate/">has exhausted our legal defense fund, so please give if you can.</a> The sitters endured rain, freezing temperatures, and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ClimateGndZero#p/u/5/-bMO66ajBN0">near constant blaring</a> of unbelievably loud sound machines that were <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverTreeSit#5431173880278787954">rigged up just below their platforms</a>. The decibel levels almost certainly exceeded levels from both MSHA safety regulations and scientific consensus risking serious and permanent hearing damage. We at Climate Ground Zero strongly believe that this <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/marfork-violation/">constituted felony endangerment</a>, though local law enforcement and prosecutors <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ClimateGndZero#p/u/2/zUk6mW09R9Q">don't seem interested</a> in acting to prevent Massey's criminal activity. Thanks to all of you who helped us bring pressure on Marfork, Massey and Gov. Manchin, be cause it clearly worked! On the seventh day of the sit, the machines were finally turned off after our friend <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/11/81-year-old-fasts-at-the-w-va-capitol-to-abolish-mountaintop-removal/">Roland Micklem</a> (who happily has returned to us) spoke to the Governor on the phone. Not only that, the Governor met personally with Roland and other CGZ representatives at his office in the Capitol the next day and <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/archivesearch/local_story_028220858.html">promised to investigate Massey's actions</a>. We don't expect much to come of it, but it's a testament to everyone that has worked on these issues and supported this campaign that the Powers That Be around here now feel compelled to meet with us. The treesit went up the morning we served Massey notice that we're suing them over mistreatment during the last treesit (more info below in the legal update), also the morning of the much heralded debate between <a href="http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=12858">Bobby Kennedy Jr. and Mr. Don Blankenship himself</a>. An incredibly civil affair for us in the coal fields, with nothing much new said by either side. We couldn't let it pass without <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Habc38MwAxA">comment</a>. Some of our intrepid media got press passes and even got to <a href="http://www.desmogblog.com/lies-don-blankenship-told-me-why-climate-activists-are-heading-west-virginian-coal-fields">question Donny</a>! Everyone at Climate Ground Zero would like to extend our most heartfelt and sincere gratitude to every single person that came to join us this January. Despite frigid cold, meager accommodations and more curve balls than anyone should have been expected to deal with, everyone stayed focused, kept up good spirits and pulled off the longest and most successful action of the campaign (we were even in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/27/AR2010012704588.html">the Washington Post</a>!). Seriously, without folks like this, there would be no campaign. This is no time to rest on our laurels unfortunately. The EPA appears to be backsliding with its <a href="http://wvgazette.com/News/MiningtheMountains/201001050473">approval of the Hobet 45 extension</a> to the largest MTR site in the country and its <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/04/spruce-mine-update-more-time-sought-for-permit-talks/">apparent reconsideration of the veto of the Spruce #1 Mine</a>. The WV Legislature is <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/14/wva-legislature-the-race-to-stand-up-more-for-coal/">falling over itself</a> to support the coal industry. Blair Mountain, site of the largest labor conflict in American history, <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/08/its-official-blair-mountain-delisted/">has been removed from the National Historic Registry</a>. And Marfork Coal Company has applied for a <a href="http://apps.dep.wv.gov/WebApp/_dep/search/ Applications/SMADetails.cfm?application_id=52642&dep_office_id=OMR">FIFTH surface mine</a> on Coal River Mountain, adding another proposed 1300 acres. All this despite two landmark studies, one in the <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/12/heres-a-link-to-the-science-paper-on-strip-mining/">prestigious journal </a><a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/12/heres-a-link-to-the-science-paper-on-strip-mining/">Science</a> that declared unequivocally, “The scientific evidence of the severe environmental and human impacts from mountaintop removal is strong and irrefutable. Its impacts are pervasive and long lasting and there is no evidence that any mitigation practices successfully reverse the damage it causes,” and the other from <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/19/must-read-report-the-decline-of-central-appalachian-coal/">our friends at Downstream Strategies </a>demonstrating that Central Appalachian coal is on its way out and alternatives for West Virginia are needed now. So much for a new administration guided by science! So now we redouble our efforts. Now is the time to act, in any and every way you can. And if you can, come join us. We have never been so close to victory. For the Mountains, CGZ PS: Dragline is now available at <a href="../../">www.climategroundzero.org</a>. Get 'em while they're hot. More Court Chaos: Harassment and incompetence remain the norm in the judicial system in southern West Virginia. On Dec. 29th, Kim Ellis, Mathew Louis-Rosenberg, James McGuinness, and Jacqueline Quimby were <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/12/2291/">arrested at our home</a> here in Rock Creek on warrants for failure to appear. The original charges apparently stem f rom the <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/youth-deploy-banner-in-solidarity-with-anti-mtr-senior-march/">Oct. 10 banner drop on Walker Cat</a> during the Senior March. Not only did none of those people commit trespass that day, but they were never informed of the court dates they supposedly missed. Instead of being taken to a Kanawha County magistrate, as the law demands, the four were held in a different county in the Southern Regional Jail for nearly 24 hours before being seen by a magistrate and promptly <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/12/four-cgz-activists-freed-on-their-own-recognizance/">being released on their own recognizance.</a> Apparently, the court was never informed that the activists were being held until one of the campaign's lawyers went to court the next morning. Ironically, the charge, simple trespass, carries a maximum of a $100 fine. Nearly the same thing happened hardly a week later, when we discovered there was an arrest warrant for Nick Martin for allegedly failing to appear at a court date for the drill rig lockdown that he never received. That's likely not to matter because the magistrate presiding over all 4 of the drill rig cases had to recuse herself because her son works for Marfork! Whether this is willful harassment or simple incompetence, it doesn't speak well for the state of justice in West Virginia. We will continue our legal battles. On the very first day of this most recent treesit, we filed a counter-suit against Massey for the first treesit for assault of our sitters. Massey has, of course, filed a fourth injunction and civil suit against this new group of sitters and supporters. We remain undeterred, and ten of us go to court in Kanawha County for the <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/four-lock-down-to-coal-truck-on-kanawha-county-strip-site/">haul road blockade</a> and these spurious Senior March arrests on February 8th. Your support is always greatly appreciated.

Call Governor Manchin to Save the Mountains

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Dear Friends, Together we <a href="<a href="http://www.climategroundzero.org/2010/01/callmasseyonjan25">made">http://www.climategroundzero.org/2010/01/callmasseyonjan25">made</a> hundreds of phone calls yesterday</a> to Massey Coal, flooding their phone lines asking them to stop abusing the tree sitters and stop blasting Coal River Mountain. We did a great job, but it wasn't enough and we need to take the next step and get WV Governor Joe Manchin to make them stop. Governor's office: 1-888-438-2731 <a href="<a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/manchin_save_mountain_stop_harassment/">Click">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/manchin_save_mountain_stop_harassment/">Click</a> here to report your call</a> Massey Coal continues to break the law, harassing the two remaining tree sitters with horns at dangerous decibel levels, likely to cause permanent ear damage. This act is violent and can be classified under West Virginia State Code as felony endangerment. West Virginia state police have acknowledged the illegal nature of this act, but have done nothing in response to repeated pleas to state emergency numbers, state and federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, and other legal resources. Yesterday, Governor Manchin said "We will not in any way, shape or form in this state of West Virginia tolerate any violence against anyone on any side." Massey air horns haven't stopped. In addition, the sitters overheard the guards talking on the radio about using fire-hoses as an abuse tactic. Getting sprayed with water in sub-freezing temperatures while 60 feet up in the tree would be outright deadly and would prevent them from being able to even safely descend. Call Governor Manchin's office and ask him to intervene in the violence against the sitters and support the end to mountaintop removal. Governor's office: 1-888-438-2731 <a href="<a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/manchin_save_mountain_stop_harassment/">Click">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/manchin_save_mountain_stop_harassment/">Click</a> here to report your call</a> This abuse must stop. Massey has proven itself to be a criminal corporation, both in it's policies towards the sitters and the people of the mountains. We need Governor Manchin to protect clean drinking water in West Virginia and nationwide. An end to mountaintop mining will protect the quality of life for Appalachian coalfield residents who face frequent and catastrophic flooding, heavy metals pollution and loss of freshwater streams as a result of mountaintop removal coal mining. What action can you take? Report your call here and let us know how it went Tell your friends by forwarding them this email or checking out our Facebook event Eric Blevins and Amber Nitchman are in high spirits, swinging high up in the trees. See <a href="<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverTreeSit">photos">http://picasaweb.google.com/climategroundzero/CoalRiverTreeSit">photos</a> from their cell phones</a> and <a href="<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ClimateGndZero">watch">http://www.youtube.com/user/ClimateGndZero">watch</a> videos of the activists talking about this fight</a>. Thanks for contributing to this strong national effort -- we all live downstream. The Climate Ground Zero team Read about Governor Manchin's statement yesterday on escalating violence in the coal fields on Coal Tattoo: <a href="<a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/25/manchin-calls-for-calm-in-the-coalfields/#more-1732">http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/25/manchin-calls-for-calm-in-the-coalfields/#more-1732</a> <br&gt">http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/25/manchin-calls-for-calm-in-the-coalfields/#more-1732">http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2010/01/25/manchin-calls-for-calm-in-the-coalfields/#more-1732</a> <br&gt</a>; Read the day 5 update on Climate Ground Zero's website: <a href="<a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/coal-river-tree-sit-day-5-inside-the-action/">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/coal-river-tree-sit-day-5-inside-the-action/</a></i&gt">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/coal-river-tree-sit-day-5-inside-the-action/">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/coal-river-tree-sit-day-5-inside-the-action/</a></i&gt</a>;

[Ground Zero Dispatch] Tree Sit on Coal River Mountain! Can you help?

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:57:00 GMT

January 25, 2009 Dear Friends, Three brave tree sitters are stopping blasting on Coal River Mountain right now. Massey is using dangerous sleep deprivation tactics to force them down and resume destruction of the mountain. After four days 60 ft up in the air, the treesitters, David Aaron Smith, 23, Amber Nitchman, 19 and Eric Blevins, 28, are still going strong. Massey's sleep deprivation by air horn isn't making things easier, and the sleet, fog, mist, and rain aren't helping either — but every time that people have talked to them, they sound upbeat and steadfast. The sitters plan to endure the discomforts created by Massey security and the weather and hold out for as long as possible to defend Coal River Mountain. Far from permanently ending blasting on Coal River, Massey has tried to harass the sitters into leaving through the use of the sound machine, hitting the platforms with a rope, cutting down nearby trees and constant flood lights. Some of the harassment has stopped, but the sound machine continues, potentially causing permanent hearing loss. We need to call demand they immediately stop illegally using noisemakers to harass the tree sitters. Join us in calling Massey's international headquarters Monday, Jan. 25, starting at 9 a.m to ask them to stop the blasting on Coal River Mountain and to stop the harassment of the sitters. Can you call Massey headquarters in Richmond? 1-804-788-1800 Sample script: <blockquote> Hi, I am calling to demand that Massey Energy halt blasting on Coal River Mountain and the abuse of the three tree-sitters occupying Massey's Bee Tree property. Security personnel have been incessantly blasting noise from an air horn to keep the tree-sitters awake. This puts both the sitters and the miners at the site at risk for hearing loss, and could be considered a felony under West Virginia state law. Also at risk are the lives of the 998 people who Massey predicts will be killed should the 8.2 billion gallon Brushy Fork Impoundment fail. To dynamite in the surrounding area is to gamble with the lives of the people of the Coal River Valley. The mountains of Appalachia soak up water and act as a water filtration system for millions of Americans inside of and surrounding Appalachia. To release toxins into Appalachia's waterways puts the health of these millions in jeopardy. Please stop this abuse of our forests and our health and halt the blasting. </blockquote> Once you have made the call, please tell us how it went <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/callmasseyonjan25/">here</a>. [<a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/callmasseyonjan25/">http://climategroundzero.net/2010/01/callmasseyonjan25/</a>] Thank you for standing up for our tree sitters and for Coal River Mountain! Now help spread the word! Please help make the tree sit and the campaign a success by: <ul> <li>Donating to the legal fund [go to <a href="http://www.climategroundzero.org">www.climategroundzero.org</a> and hit the orange "legal" button]</li> <li>Forwarding this email to your friends</li> <li>Posting this story on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=446182750385&ref=mf">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mtnaction">twitter</a></li></ul> Thousands of new people have come to the Climate Ground Zero website to watch the progress of this action, mostly through word of mouth networks. We're not a big organization, and we rely need every one of us to help tell this story to the world. We're making constant updates to our website, so check back for the latest updates on David, Amber and Eric's brave stand. In closing, here are a few words on the importance of this struggle from a <a href="http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2010/01/24/these-mountains-are-divine-creations/">previous speech at a rally</a> given by Eric Blevins, calling for the protection of <a href="http://www.coalriverwind.org">Coal River Mountain</a> <blockquote> "The government must step in now to stop this killing, and if they don't, we will keep getting in Massey's way until this madness ends, and we will save Coal River Mountain and the Coal River Valley and our deep connection to divine creation." </blockquote> Thanks, <a href="http://www.climategroundzero.org">Climate Ground Zero Team</a> P.S. <a href="http://itsgettinghotinhere.org/2010/01/25/tree-sit-day-5/">Click here</a> for a map of the tree sit and an interview with Josh after getting out of jail. <a href="http://www.climategroundzero.org">Climate Ground Zero's</a> action campaign, begun in February of last year, has kept up a sustained series of direct actions since that time continuing decades-long resistance to strip mining in Appalachia. <a href="http://www.mountainjustice.org">Mountain Justice</a> started five years ago with the goal of ending mountaintop removal in Appalachia.

Holiday Appeal Correction

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:14:00 GMT

Sorry folks, but we neglected to include some important information in our holiday appeal. Now that we have power back in our 1.5 feet of snow, we can send this out. When we mentioned gifts in return for donations, we left out links to information about the gifts and how to request a gift for your donation. To request a gift, please send an email to <a href="mailto: snow-donations@climategroundzero.org">snow-donations@climategroundzero.org</a> or if you mail in your donation you can write it on a piece of paper in the envelope. Below are links for information about the gifts: <ul> <li>  $30+ = <a href="http://auroralights.org/journey">Still Moving Mountains CD</a>, a collection of Appalachian music</li>  <li>$50+ = Signed copy of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Spiker-Lowbagging-Struggles-Environmental/dp/0312556195/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260990729&sr=1-1">Tree Spiker</a>, written by Mike Roselle </li> <li>$100+ = DVD of <a href="http://coalcountrythemovie.com/">Coal Country</a>, the recently released documentary film by Mari-Lynn Evans  and Still Moving Mountains CD</li> <li>$500+ = <a href="http://plunderingappalachia.org/">Plundering Appalachia</a>, a full size, hard cover book of stunning  photographs and commentary on mountaintop removal.</li> <li> $1,000+ = Mounted print by photographer Antrim Caskey, who has captured many  of the great moments in our campaign. <a href="http://www.photoshelter.com/c/antrim/invite/g/U000002hBzDie2IM/G0000ds1f.QsQla4/">Click here to view the gallery</a>. </li> </ul> Y'all take care and thanks for your support, CGZ

[Ground Zero Dispatch] #6 and Holiday Appeal

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:59:00 GMT

(The regular Ground Zero Dispatch can be found after this little holiday appeal letter from us to you.) Dear Friends,  Winter has come to Rock Creek, the leaves have fallen, and the days have been below freezing. After a very busy year in our campaign against mountaintop removal, things show no signs of easing up. Since February, Climate Ground Zero has organized 18 acts of civil resistance against mountaintop removal coal mining here in Southern West Virginia involving 130 arrests, including NASA climate scientist James  Hanson, actress Daryl Hannah, 92-year-old Winnie Fox and ex-Senator Ken  Hechler, who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. We've locked ourselves to a dragline-- the largest earth moving machine in Appalachia, occupied the drilling rig which drills the holes for high explosives and blocked roads. We've even spent a week in the trees, halting blasting and making the front page of all the West Virginia newspapers. We will not let up until this barbaric practice is halted forever. We believe our nonviolent campaign is working, the pressure is building  and that the movement against mountaintop removal is growing -- as even the great Sen. Robert C. Byrd recently acknowledged. But a civil  disobedience campaign cannot run on conviction alone-- our financial donors  are a crucial part of us being able to take on the coal companies and the  corrupt courts, and having the resources we need to conduct successful  actions.   Right now we are fighting on two fronts. First, we need to keep up the  pressure and make sure that this story receives the attention from the news  media that it deserves. We will continue to organize nonviolent  demonstrations at the mine sites and at the offices of the decision makers who have the power to put an end to mountaintop removal. Second, we need to continue to defend our rights in court. Right now we are facing numerous  criminal charges, two court injunctions and three civil lawsuits filed  against us by Massey Energy. We have a good, pro bono legal team in place. As the year wraps up, your donation will help us continue fighting  mountaintop removal. You can donate to our <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=GXrpFXuKmu7bQXNjOLif8ku3mRNrK6ts5_WZfufhj7_0wUoUvTC237D4jC8&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1ffc45dc241d84e953ae3a912d7415d1a97451b677930c8a71">Climate Ground Zero Action Fund</a>,  which allows us to continue to do outreach, fund our kitchen and keep the  campaign running. You can also opt to contribute to our <a href="https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=epldIUTwIZhhA857QI2CQ2dqKG8IqpO7fcDdsSGkxczbih3LDvTC6tg115e&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1ffc45dc241d84e953ae3a912d7415d1a97451b677930c8a71">Legal Defense Fund</a>,  which helps us cover bail, court fees and fines.   We are able to offer the following gifts as a thank you for your donation:   $30+ = Still Moving Mountains CD, a collection of Appalachian music  $50+ = Signed copy of the book Tree Spiker, written by Mike Roselle  $100+ = DVD of Coal Country, the recently released documentary film by Mari-Lynn Evans  and Still Moving Mountains CD $500+ = Plundering Appalachia, a full size, hard cover book of stunning  photographs and commentary on mountaintop removal.  $1,000+ = Mounted print by photographer Antrim Caskey, who has captured many  of the great moments in our campaign. To donate money by check, make out and mail donations to Action Fund to: Climate Ground Zero PO Box 166 Rock Creek, WV 25174 Donations to the Legal Defense Fund to: Mountain Justice Legal Defense PO Box 86 Naoma, WV 25140  Please consider donating to Climate Ground Zero this holiday season so that  we can stay on the front lines against climate change and the fight for  environmental justice.   Happy Holidays, Your friends at Climate Ground Zero Greetings from the Coal River Valley! Well, it has been quite a year us here in the valley and for everyone fighting mountaintop removal. Unprecedented action from the EPA let us know we were making a difference, but even we were blown away by <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/12/03/sen-byrd-coal-must-embrace-the-future/">Sen. Robert C. Byrd's recent statement on the future of coal mining.</a> Not only does the elder statesman of the US Senate and WV politics acknowledge that "Most members of Congress, like most Americans, oppose the practice, and we may not yet fully understand the effects of mountaintop removal mining on the health of our citizens," but he castigates the coal industry for its hysterics, unwillingness to negotiate, and fear-mongering. All this from a man who a decade ago ferociously defended the practice. There is no way to explain the importance of such a statement to folks here in WV as well as other Senators looking for guidance on supporting the Appalachia Restoration A ct. It renews our determination and our hope to end this practice, not in some distant future, but now. A year of action was capped off by a rally of about 250 <a href="http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/12/07-10">proud Appalachians and their allies at the Department of "Environmental Protection" on December 7th.</a> A spectacular set of speakers including local heroines and Goldman Award winners Judy Bonds and Maria Gunnoe and prominent environmental lawyer and activist Robert Kennedy Jr. kept the crowd's energy up on a cold December day. We were also pleasantly surprised to find the WV police doing their job for once and keeping our ever-present counter-protesters at a safe distance. It was quite a luxury to be able to talk with our friends and make our voices heard with relatively little fear of physical and verbal assault. You can hear some of the truly inspiring speeches of the day <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BguRetZzSco">here</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqrqkWhF6tY&feature=related">here</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i VkL9wsWWq8&feature=related">here</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im1vM0xPGfc&feature=related">here</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlHyOLvjMng&feature=related">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOsd2OMOvFE&feature=related">here</a>. One speaker not captured in those clips was our dear friend Roland Micklem, 81-year old military veteran, self-described naturalist and hero to us all in the Coal River Valley. He spoke that day on what was the eighth day of a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzEFrMR-XE">13 day fast and witness at the Governor's Office</a> in the WV State Capitol. Described by Roland as <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/11/roland-micklems-open-letter-on-his-fast-to-end-mountaintop-removal/">an extended act of mourning</a>, the fast was another incredible act of dedication and courage from a man we have all come to love, and a challenge to all of those calling themselves Christians, environmentalists, or simply concerned citizens of this earth. He has informed us all that <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/12/from-here-roland-micklem-reflects-on-his-fast-climate-justice-and-gods-will/">he has been called</a> to take his struggle for the planet to Washington D.C. We wish him well. He will be deeply missed in Rock Creek. Here in good old West Virginia, a man can't even FAST in peace however. On the second day his fast, Roland was <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/12/micklem-fast-arrest1/">arrested for failure to appear</a> on a bogus trespassing charge stemming from the Oct. 10th banner drop at Walker/Cat during the Senior March to End Mountaintop Removal. Not only is the charge spurious (Roland merely spoke with the security guard in the parking lot of the Walker/Cat building), but he never received the summons he supposedly failed to appear for (apparently the police copied down the wrong address). We were informed that there are other similar warrants out stemming from the incident but not for whom. Roland was quickly released on his own recognizance and returned to the Capitol. Roland wasn't the only one in court that day for his actions against mountaintop removal. Gabe Schwartzman and David German went to court for the aforementioned banner drop, argued a necessity defense and received their standard $100 fines. Kanawha County has also given us our first probations of the campaign as Laura Merner, Laura Steepleton and Mike Bowersox all received some form or another of a year's probation for their <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/08/protesters-demand-federal-epa-takeover-of-wvdep-huffingtons-resignation/">lockdown at DEP Headquarters in August.</a> Andrew Munn, the fourth activist who locked down, had his charges dismissed when the arresting officer failed to appear, only to have the county refile them the next day. He is awaiting a new court date. We remain undeterred as always and plan to hit 2010 running full speed as the campaign hosts its first <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/winter-action-camp/">formal action camp</a> from January 4th to the 25th. Activists will be intensively trained to fill the entire gamut of roles necessary for direct action including media, legal support, blockades, scouting and more. Then they will put those skills to good use. We hope to end the camp on a splashy note with an event on the 25th. If you are interested in participating in that event, we strongly encourage it. Please email <a href="mailto:info@climategroundzero.org"> info@climategroundzero.org</a> with the words "January 25th" in the subject line for more information as it becomes available. As always we thank you for all the support you have shown us this year. We'll see you in 2010. For the mountains, Climate Ground Zero PS: We are proud to announce the publication of Dragline, a collection of photographs from our friend Antrim Caskey. The 74-page work is the first release from the CGZ press and a truly powerful set of images documenting the devastation of mountaintop removal and the power of the struggle against it. Look for a way to get your very own copy in a forthcoming Dispatch.

[Ground Zero Dispatch] #5

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:36:00 GMT

Greetings from the Coal River Valley! It is a good day here in the valley. Last Saturday, four hellraisers <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/11/responding-to-harmful-government-inaction-protestors-stop-blasting-on-coal-river-mountain/">shut down a drilling rig</a> on the Bee Tree Surface Mine on Coal River Mountain, preventing blasting from occurring that day. Dea Goblirsch locked herself inside the cab of the rig, and Nick Martin locked himself to the drill itself. Both of them and their two fantastic support people were arrested after many hours and charged with trespassing, obstruction, conspiracy and littering. They were held on $2,000 cash-only bails and we sprung the last of them this morning. They are <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/11/all-four-safe-and-sound/">safe, happy and proud</a> here in Rock Creek. Their act of defiance came just days after the EPA officially announced that <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/11/20/epa-taking-closer-look-at-coal-river-mountain-mining/">it has deep concerns</a> that Massey is moving forward with this operation despite not yet having its valley fill permits (which, unlike blasting permits, are subject to EPA scrutiny). This proves that the community's concerns about this permit is shared at the highest levels of government and the massive pressure campaign surrounding Coal River Mountain is working. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of folks from all over the country have <a href="http://ilovemountains.org/coalriver/">called or written the EPA</a> demanding an intervention to halt the blasting. If you haven't been one of them yet, what are you waiting for? Our call-in action days have jammed the fax machines and clogged the phone lines. On October 30th, we took the fight right to their door with <a href="http://unders tory.ran.org/2009/10/30/dc-mountaintop-removal-protest-heats-up/">demonstrations at every single EPA branch office in the country</a>. The day of action called by <a href="http://www.ran.org">Rainforest Action Network</a>, <a href="http://www.mountainjustice.org">Mountain Justice</a>, and <a href="http://http://www.energyjustice.net/">Energy Justice Network</a> was headlined by 14 folks sitting in all day at the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., shutting down one of the entrances to the building. They got a meeting with the EPA's Deputy Press Secretary to air their concerns about Coal River Mountain and a whole lot of encouragement from EPA employees who oppose mountaintop removal and told us to KEEP UP THE PRESSURE. And we need to. We just discovered yesterday that Massey is not only working on the Bee Tree permit, but they have begun road building on the much much larger Eagle 2 permit, also on Coal River Mountain. Every day that goes by, more and more of Coal River Mountain and the hope of a different future for the Coal River Valley is destroyed. Residents of the valley are calling for a <a href="http://www.savecoalrivermountain.org">massive demonstration outside the WV Department of "Environmental Protection"</a>, the agency responsible for issuing the permits to destroy the mountain, on December 7th. This will be the largest demonstration opposing mountaintop removal ever. Please if it is at all possible, come to Charleston, WV and show your solidarity. There is no time to lose. For the mountains, Climate Ground Zero Legal Update: Joe Hamsher, the <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/joseph-hamsher-22-sentenced-to-20-days-in-south-west-regional-jail-for-lockdown-at-massey-regional-headquarters/">first person sentenced to jail</a> for taking action to stop mountaintop removal, was released a week early on Friday the 13th! Lucky day! And while we may face hostility from some coalfield folks, others are <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/11/1952/comment-page-1/#comment-1051">clearly big fans.</a> We face continued harassment from the courts however. Zoe Beavers, who was arrested supporting the <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/08/tree-sit-update-support-team-arrested-jailed/">treesit in August</a>, recently had her charges dismissed because the police failed to appear at her pre-trial. The next day, the state re-filed the charges, issued an arrest warrant, demanded an additional $1,000 bail, and jailed her again until we brought the money. We remain undeterred and greatly appreciate the support we receive from y'all.

[Ground Zero Dispatch] #4 State of Emergency [corrected, sorry about that]

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:20:00 GMT

Greetings from the Coal River Valley! We write to you today in a state of emergency. As some of you may have heard, Massey Energy has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-biggers/exclusive-photos-battle-a_b_333000.html">begun blasting on Coal River Mountain</a>. Climate Ground Zero was born in the Coal River Valley when Massey first began work on Coal River Mountain this past January. Longtime local organizers, volunteers, and supporters around the country realized that it was time to draw a line in the sand on mountaintop removal and Coal River Mountain was the place to draw that line. After our <a href="http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200902030750">first action on Feb. 3rd</a>, work stopped on the mountain. Now they have begun moving fast, and we need your help more than ever. It is not too late! Massey has yet to even apply for the valley fill permits it needs to truly expand its operations, and our movement is growing. There are calls out to contact <a href="http://ga3.org/campaign/epa_coalriverm tn">the EPA</a> and <a href="http://ilovemountains.org/coalriver/">President Obama</a> about the urgent need to save the hope that Coal River Mountain represents for the future of the Appalachian coalfields. But most of all, we'd like you to come to the valley and stand with us. (If we haven't convinced you, read <a href="http://www.alternet.org/environment/143529/urgent_action_need:_we_face_a_national_security_threat_on_coal_river_mountain">Bo Webb's powerful letter</a> to President Obama.) We have been staying busy and keeping the pressure on. A <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/coal-river-valley-residents-declare-state-of-emergency-meet-with-governor-joe-manchin-seven-sit-in-at-governors-office/">sit-in in the Governor's office</a> last week forced Gov. Manchin into a long sought meeting with the <a href="http://www.coalriverwind.org">Coal River Wind Project</a> in which he <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/extraction-state/">called West Virginia "the Extraction State"</a>. A few short days later, <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/extraction-state/">eight activists shut down a haul road</a> on a mountaintop removal site in Kanawha County. These actions emerged out of the most successful Mountain Justice Fall Summit in history with over 150 young people coming to Rock Creek for a weekend of training, action, and a firsthand look at the devastating effects of MTR. But it's not just the young people who have let their voice s be heard. Early this month, over a dozen elders aged 53 to 88 marched 25 miles from the State Capitol to Massey Energy's Mammoth Coal preparation plants to demonstrate their commitment to a future for their children and grandchildren. Watch footage and read the story of their journey <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/page/2/">here</a>. The hard work and determination of all those working to stop the abuses of the coal industry in West Virginia are beginning to pay off. We saw big victories in two long struggles. After a four year campaign to <a href="http://www.penniesofpromise.org">get a new school for Marsh Fork Elementary</a>, the Raleigh County School Board <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_286220603.html">voted to officially request funding for a new school</a> from the state. This unprecedented step comes shortly after WV Sen. Robert C. Byrd <a href="http://wvgazette.com/News/200910070674?page=1&build=cache">blasted Massey Energy</a> for refusing to help pay to relocate the school, accusing the company of a "disregard for human life and safety". Well, welcome aboard Sen. Byrd! We've been saying that for years. Even more surprisingly, Sen. Rockfeller and Rep. Rahall <a href="http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200910080752">jumped on board</a> with Byrd immediately. If coal ind ustry cheerleaders like these are going after Massey, you know something's changing. And as slow as it's going, things continue to change at the EPA. In a historical move, the EPA announced its intention to <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/10/16/huge-mtr-news-epa-moves-to-veto-spruce-mine-permit/#more-1329">veto the Spruce #1 Mine</a> in Logan County, WV, the largest ever proposed MTR site. This proposed mine has been successfully fought off since 1998 when Joe Lovett won the very first lawsuit outlawing valley fills (later overturned by the 4th Circuit), and this may well be the final nail in its coffin. The EPA has never vetoed a permit. With our growing power and successes of course comes greater resistance, and the coal industry and its allies are trying harder than ever to stamp us out. The industry turned out nearly 1,000 angry (and frequently drunk) miners to attend hearings held by the Army Corps of Engineers on <a href="http://www.mountainjustice.org/events.php?id=183">their proposal</a> to end the egregious use of streamlined "Nationwide 21 Permits" for valley fills. This simple change would only require the coal companies to go through the full formal process to obtain fill permits. Yet the crowd of miners outside seemed to think the world was ending. The public hearing, intended to collect public opinion on the rule change, <a href="http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=11646"> turned into a near-riot</a>, with citizens supporting the rule change subjected to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtwceseZz4w&feature=player_embedded">insults, profanity, death threats, and physical assaul ts</a> while the Charleston Police and federal officials looked on. Eventually some of the "treehuggers" were asked to leave by the police and even threatened with arrest in the hopes of avoiding a full-scale riot. With some miners screaming things like, "Somebody get some rope!", one longtime local activist said it was the worst crowd she had seen in 25 years of working on the issue. Here in Rock Creek, we have received repeated and increasing threats directed at us, including several regarding plans to attack us and burn down the Coal River Mountain Watch office on Halloween this upcoming weekend. But what do you expect when folks like WalkerCat President and CEO Steve Walker <a href="http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=32861">compare us to suicide bombers</a> in the Middle East in local media? Increasing pressure is coming from West Virginia's crooked courts as well. Magistrate Byrneside of Boone County, who fined Mathew Louis-Rosenberg $2700 after he was found guilty at his jury trial on the 15th, has now sentenced activist Joe Hamsher to 20 days in jail for his participation in a <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/09/blockade-at-massey-regional-headquarters/">blockade of Massey's regional headquarters</a>. Joe was initially charged with trespassing, conspiracy, refusing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest and destruction of property. He agreed to plead guilty to trespassing and conspiracy, just as the activists involved in the May lockdown on Kayford Mountain and the June dragline takeover had, expecting to be given maximum fines as they were. Instead he faces the first jail sentence of the campaign in a clear example of prejudicial sentencing and an attempt to intimidate us. Joe begins serving his sentence Monday but remains proud and unafraid as are we all. The fight has just begun. For the mountains, Climate Ground Zero

[Ground Zero Dispatch] #4 State of Emergency

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:18:00 GMT

Greetings from the Coal River Valley! We write to you today in a state of emergency. As some of you may have heard, Massey Energy has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-biggers/exclusive-photos-battle-a_b_333000.html">begun blasting on Coal River Mountain</a>. Climate Ground Zero was born in the Coal River Valley when Massey first began work on Coal River Mountain this past January. Longtime local organizers, volunteers, and supporters around the country realized that it was time to draw a line in the sand on mountaintop removal and Coal River Mountain was the place to draw that line. After our <a href="http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200902030750">first action on Feb. 3rd</a>, work stopped on the mountain. Now they have begun moving fast, and we need your help more than ever. It is not too late! Massey has yet to even apply for the valley fill permits it needs to truly expand its operations, and our movement is growing. There are calls out to contact <a href="http://ga3.org/campaign/epa_coalriverm tn">the EPA</a> and <a href="http://ilovemountains.org/coalriver/">President Obama</a> about the urgent need to save the hope that Coal River Mountain represents for the future of the Appalachian coalfields. But most of all, we'd like you to come to the valley and stand with us. (If we haven't convinced you, read <a href="http://www.alternet.org/environment/143529/urgent_action_need:_we_face_a_national_security_threat_on_coal_river_mountain">Bo Webb's powerful letter</a> to President Obama.) We have been staying busy and keeping the pressure on. A <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/coal-river-valley-residents-declare-state-of-emergency-meet-with-governor-joe-manchin-seven-sit-in-at-governors-office/">sit-in in the Governor's office</a> last week forced Gov. Manchin into a long sought meeting with the <a href="http://www.coalriverwind.org">Coal River Wind Project</a> in which he <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/extraction-state/">called West Virginia "the Extraction State"</a>. A few short days later, <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/10/extraction-state/">eight activists shut down a haul road</a> on a mountaintop removal site in Kanawha County. These actions emerged out of the most successful Mountain Justice Fall Summit in history with over 150 young people coming to Rock Creek for a weekend of training, action, and a firsthand look at the devastating effects of MTR. But it's not just the young people who have let their voice s be heard. Early this month, over a dozen elders aged 53 to 88 marched 25 miles from the State Capitol to Massey Energy's Mammoth Coal preparation plants to demonstrate their commitment to a future for their children and grandchildren. Watch footage and read the story of their journey <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/page/2/">here</a>. The hard work and determination of all those working to stop the abuses of the coal industry in West Virginia are beginning to pay off. We saw big victories in two long struggles. After a four year campaign to <a href="http://www.penniesofpromise.org">get a new school for Marsh Fork Elementary</a>, the Raleigh County School Board <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_286220603.html">voted to officially request funding for a new school</a> from the state. This unprecedented step comes shortly after WV Sen. Robert C. Byrd <a href="http://wvgazette.com/News/200910070674?page=1&build=cache">blasted Massey Energy</a> for refusing to help pay to relocate the school, accusing the company of a "disregard for human life and safety". Well, welcome aboard Sen. Byrd! We've been saying that for years. Even more surprisingly, Sen. Rockfeller and Rep. Rahall <a href="http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200910080752">jumped on board</a> with Byrd immediately. If coal ind ustry cheerleaders like these are going after Massey, you know something's changing. And as slow as it's going, things continue to change at the EPA. In a historical move, the EPA announced its intention to <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/10/16/huge-mtr-news-epa-moves-to-veto-spruce-mine-permit/#more-1329">veto the Spruce #1 Mine</a> in Logan County, WV, the largest ever proposed MTR site. This proposed mine has been successfully fought off since 1998 when Joe Lovett won the very first lawsuit outlawing valley fills (later overturned by the 4th Circuit), and this may well be the final nail in its coffin. The EPA has never vetoed a permit. With our growing power and successes of course comes greater resistance, and the coal industry and its allies are trying harder than ever to stamp us out. The industry turned out nearly 1,000 angry (and frequently drunk) miners to attend hearings held by the Army Corps of Engineers on <a href="http://www.mountainjustice.org/events.php?id=183">their proposal</a> to end the egregious use of streamlined "Nationwide 21 Permits" for valley fills. This simple change would only require the coal companies to go through the full formal process to obtain fill permits. Yet the crowd of miners outside seemed to think the world was ending. The public hearing, intended to collect public opinion on the rule change, <a href="http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=11646"> turned into a near-riot</a>, with citizens supporting the rule change subjected to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtwceseZz4w&feature=player_embedded">insults, profanity, death threats, and physical assaul ts</a> while the Charleston Police and federal officials looked on. Eventually some of the "treehuggers" were asked to leave by the police and even threatened with arrest in the hopes of avoiding a full-scale riot. With some miners screaming things like, "Somebody get some rope!", one longtime local activist said it was the worst crowd she had seen in 25 years of working on the issue. Here in Rock Creek, we have received repeated and increasing threats directed at us, including several regarding plans to attack us and burn down the Coal River Mountain Watch office on Halloween this upcoming weekend. But what do you expect when folks like WalkerCat President and CEO Steve Walker <a href="http://www.wvmetronews.com/index.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=32861>compare us to suicide bombers</a> in the Middle East in local media? Increasing pressure is coming from West Virginia's crooked courts as well. Magistrate Byrneside of Boone County, who fined Mathew Louis-Rosenberg $2700 after he was found guilty at his jury trial on the 15th, has now sentenced activist Joe Hamsher to 20 days in jail for his participation in a <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/09/blockade-at-massey-regional-headquarters/">blockade of Massey's regional headquarters</a>. Joe was initially charged with trespassing, conspiracy, refusing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest and destruction of property. He agreed to plead guilty to trespassing and conspiracy, just as the activists involved in the May lockdown on Kayford Mountain and the June dragline takeover had, expecting to be given maximum fines as they were. Instead he faces the first jail sentence of the campaign in a clear example of prejudicial sentencing and an attempt to intimidate us. Joe begins serving his sentence Monday but remains proud and unafraid as are we all. The fight has just begun. For the mountains, Climate Ground Zero

Ground Zero Dispatch #3

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:26:00 GMT

Greetings from the Coal River Valley! What a day full of good news at ground zero! Today saw the first jury trial of the campaign. Glen Collins appeared before Magistrate Byrneside in Boone County Court to defend himself against charges of trespassing and conspiracy stemming from <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/2009/05/photo-essay-kayford-mountain-lock-down/">the May 23rd lockdown</a> to a rock truck on Kayford Mountain. He faced up to 18 months in jail. Six other activists that participated in the lockdown plead no contest and received maximum fines of $1844. Despite very limited evidence, the jury found Collins guilty on both counts. Much to our surprise (and in contrast to the dire predictions of all of our public defenders), Magistrate Byrneside simply imposed the same fines on Collins as he had on those who plead out. Glen is happy and healthy and resting in Rock Creek. Glen had hoped to combine his trial with <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/come-to-the-campaigns-first-jury-trial/">the upcoming trial of the last Kayford Eight defendents</a>, Mathew Louis-Rosenberg, but late Monday afternoon Magistrate Byrneside denied our motion to consolidate the cases. Folks are still encouraged to attend Mat's trial on the 15th of October, when we hope to pack the courthouse with coalfield residents and supporters from around the country. In other great news, <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/09/30/epa-all-79-mining-permits-need-more-review/">the EPA announced that all 79 valley fill permits</a> that were held back a few weeks ago will have to undergo an extensive review process and potentially be modified or rejected outright. This historic announcement stays the execution of mountains across the coalfields for at least 2 more months and opens the door for truly effective federal action to stop mountaintop removal. Thanks to all who submitted comments during these last few weeks and have continually helped us keep pressure on the EPA. Find out about more you can do at <a href="http://www.ilovemountains.org/epa-permit-list/">I Love Mountains.</a> Local activists are hopeful there may soon be some action on an issue that has been continually fought for years. The <a href="http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_272225306.html">Raleigh County Board of Education announced</a> that they are considering applying for the funds to build a replacement school for <a href="http://www.penniesofpromise.org">Marsh Fork Elementary</a> in the area. Though a small step, this represents a huge victory for local folks who have been advocating tirelessly a safe and healthy school for the kids in this community. The campaign has been getting good local media coverage all over the place with recent stories <a href="http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/09/30/business-energy-financial-impact-us-mining-protest-west-virginia_6951003.html">here</a>, <a href="http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=67593">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.wvva.com/Global/story.asp?S=11150588">here.</a> All this has us looking head to this fall with cautious optimism and a renewed commitment to work harder than ever to stop moutaintop removal. Check out the busy October Calender below for upcoming events. For the mountains, CGZ October Calender: 10/1: <a href="http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/09/30/fayette-mine-permit-big-hearing-tomorrow/">Crucial hearing</a> on the contested Powellton Mine in Fayette County, WV at 1:15 p.m. sharp at the County Courthouse in Fayetteville. Local supporters encouraged to attend. 10/8-12: <a href="http://climategroundzero.net/senior-citizens-walk-to-end-mountaintop-removal/">Senior Citizens March to End Mountaintop Removal!</a> Join Roland Micklem and other passionate elders as they march from Charleston to the Mammoth Coal Preparation Plant and Surface Mine. 10/13: Public hearings in <a href="http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/_kd/Items/actions.cfm?action=Show&item_id=16212&destination=ShowItem">Charleston, WV, Pikeville, KY, Knoxville, TN, Cambridge, OH, Pittsburgh, PA and Big Stone Gap, VA</a> on ending the fast-track "Nationwide 21" permits for valley fills. Let the Army Corps know we want them to stop giving permits away. 10/15: Mathew Louis-Rosenberg's trial at the Boone County Courthouse in Madison, WV. Starts at 9 a.m. sharp! 10/16-18: <a href="http://mountainjustice.org/summit09/">Mountain Justice Fall Break!</a> Come visit us here in Rock Creek for a great weekend of trainings, talks, and a first hand look at what's happening to Appalachia. Register now! 10/23-25: <a href="https://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/614/t/9863/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=5273">Appalachian Powershift.</a> Another weekend of workshops and training here in Huntington, WV. Meet folks, learn things, build the network.

Ground Zero Dispatch Testing the dispatch mailing system

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:36:00 GMT

Just a testing email. Let's first see if it sends out a message, then we can move on to setting up the intervals of sending and importing all our emails.