WVa hearing postponed for Massey protesters

By the Associated Press
March 24, 2009

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Environmental activists who chained themselves to heavy equipment on Massey Energy property have agreed to the temporary extension of a restraining order.

Raleigh County Circuit Judge Robert Burnside planned to consider Richmond, Va.-based Massey’s request for a permanent injunction Tuesday, but the hearing was postponed.

Roger Forman, lawyer for the protesters, said there will be a teleconference to set a new date.

Massey wants the protesters barred from interfering with its mountaintop removal mining operations in southern West Virginia.

Several temporary injunctions against trespassing had been set to expire Tuesday.