Our Iranian election moment is happening now. Mass arrests in WV. Media ignores it.

[Mabus]

Protests being lead by my friends Mike Roselle and James McGuinness. Brave American patriots are standing up for our future and the media is ignoring it. We must stop Mountain Top Rmoval for coal. Please help spread the word.

http://www.grist.org/article/live-at-coal-river-mass-protest-against-mountaintop-removal

“When I get to the other side, I shall tell God Almighty about West Virginia!”—Mother Jones

UPDATE: “The Sword of Damocles hangs over Marsh Fork Elementary School.” “I started out an as activist, but founded it necessary to be a hell raiser. We are going to need hellraisers to stop this devastating practice.”—Ken Hechler UPDATE: Video of former US Representative Ken Hechler (D-WV), who introduced the first bill to end mountaintop removal and stripmining in 1971. As a hero to coal miners, Hechler led the campaign for better mining workplace safety and black lung laws and compensation. The 94-year-old Hechler was arrested at the Coal River action, along with coalfield residents and parents, 88-year-old West Virginia activist Winnie Fox, Daryl Hannah, and James Hansen, and Goldman Prize Award winner Judy Bonds, RAN director Michael Brune and many others.

UPDATE: 6pm EST. Goldman Prize Award Winner Attacked. During the rally in front of the Massey Energy coal property today, Coal River Mountain Watch co-director (and 2003 Goldman Prize Award winner) Judy Bonds was reportedly assaulted by a Massey supporter. While Bonds was engaged in a nonviolent protest, the Massey supporter lunged from the line without any provocation and roughly slapped Bonds on the head, ear and jaw. The Massey supporter also attempted an attack on another protestor, Lorelei Scarbro, a coal miner’s widow and local community organizer. The Massey supporter was immedidately apprehended by the police and charged with battery, according to news reports. For more information on Judy Bonds, see: http://www.goldmanprize.org/node/84 The crowd included dozens of Mountain Justice participants who have been active in similar protests since 2005, including getting arrested at the same site. (http://mountainjustice.org/)

[vadawg]

1. exaggerate much, nothing like tehran

[Mabus]

3. It is a situation where people are standing up against the government

and getting hurt.

Bite me.

[scheming daemons]

2. Not even in the same galaxy as the "Iranian election moment"

:eyes:

[Mabus]

4. the global climate crisis needs to be addressed

people are standing up and the revolution is here but is being ignored. The global climate crisis needs more attention.

[JackRiddler]

9. For several reasons, including that it's not approved by the US corporate media.

[snappyturtle]

5. Yeah...the media will cover this protest like they did at the

Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities. What atrocities! Kudos to the protesters in WV!!

[Mabus]

7. Sad isn't it? People are standing up to the government to right wrongs

and there are so many people here who do not get it. Ordinary citizens of West Virgina are fighting the coal companies and for their lives and the media is ignoring it.

These are brave American patriots whose fight is going unreported.

[villager]

6. thanks for posting -- were there ever verdicts in the trial of Roselle and others

...for the earlier protests?

[Mabus]

8. the judge told them to stop issued TRO, criminal charges still pending

The preliminary injunction blocks further protests on mine sites of Alex Energy (dba as Edwight Mining Company), Independence Coal Co., and Marfork Coal Co. It does not — as the earlier temporary restraining order did — extend to all Massey Energy affiliate operations. And it does not — as the TRO also did – extend beyond Burnside’s jurisdiction in Raleigh County.

One important thing for readers to note: This is NOT a criminal case in which protesters have been charged with trespassing. Those are separate proceedings. Burnside is ruling in a civil lawsuit filed by Massey Energy subsidiaries to try to get a judge to block future protests, invoke more serious punishment (civil contempt, with fines or jail time) for future protesters, and require the State Police to handle future protests in specific ways.
http://blogs.wvgazette.com/coaltattoo/2009/06/03/never-again-judge-tries-to-block-further-mine-protests/