Today’s action marks the eighteenth consecutive act of nonviolent civil disobedience from Climate Ground Zero in what is now undeniably a sustained fight against mountaintop removal. The four protestors stopped blasting on Coal River Mountain’s Bee Tree site, resolving to lock down to a drill rig. Their direct action speaks out against mountaintop removal and the extreme danger of blasting in such close proximity to the Brushy Fork Impoundment. Brushy Fork is permitted to hold 9 billion gallons of toxic sludge. It has already been stated that this impoundment is highly unstable and that blasting will only increase this exponentially. If this were to break it would devastate not only an entire town but the entire length of the Coal River.

Coal River Valley resident Judy Bonds commented on the action earlier today, saying, “This is further proof that Nick and Dea, Laura and Grace are backing up what the community people said in the press conference: Coal River Mountain is a hope and a future. I’m thrilled! I say hooray for the brave folks that’s up there. They are my heroes.”

All four protestors have been arrested and charged with trespassing, conspiracy, obstruction and littering.  They have been set $2,000 cash-only bails.  Please donate to their legal fund and support their brave actions! Just click the “Legal” button below.