Merner and three others locked to doors of WVDEP's headquarters.

Roland Micklem was not the only person in court today over his opposition to mountaintop removal.  Laura Merner and Gabe Schwartzman were also in Kanawha County Magistrate Court for separate reasons. Merner was in court for the action on August 11, where she and three others locked to the doors of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection headquarters (initial post and video) demanding its leader Randy Huffman resign. Merner is now on probation for one year and is restricted from the State Capital and the DEP in Kanawha County, marking the first probation of the campaign.

Gabe Schwartzman had a hearing before Mag. Paris Workman for the October 10 banner-drop on Walker CAT’s headquarters, which challenged Walker’s misleading pro-coal advertising campaign. The defense attorney argued Schwartzman’s actions came from necessity to uphold the Clean Water Act, yet Schwarzman was found guilty of trespassing and fined $100.

Banner-drop on Walker CAT's headquarters challenging the company's misleading pro-coal advertising.

Roland Micklem was arrested this morning for failing to appear in court for allegedly trespassing on Walker CAT property during the Senior Citizen’s March to End Mountaintop Removal. Micklem claims he never recieved a notice to appear, and he claims he never enter any marked ‘No Trespassing’ areas nor was he asked to leave while on Walker CAT property. His arresting officer, Chief D.B. Cox, mentioned other outstanding warrants but did not name those implicated. Micklem was released on his own personal recognizance and has returned to the State Capital.