It’s Getting Hot In Here

4 Responses to “New Videos of WV Protests - See the Whole Story”

1. 1 Abe Mar 18th, 2007 at 12:17 pm

   It seems like the repression that West Virginia’s children at Marsh Fork Elementary School face will now be extended to those members of the wider community who feel that it is their responsibility to stand up to get them a new school in their own community.

   My pastor today told a story about a drunk guy and a jokester in a coffin. When the guy in the coffin suddenly sat up, the drunk guy responded, “If you are really dead, then lie back down and act like it.”
   The implied lesson is actually for those of us who are living. “If you are alive then stand up and act like it”…

   “If you are a constituent of West Virginia who knows you have a responsibility to engage yourself in order to protect Marsh Fork Elementary School children… then stand up and act like it!”

   “If you are a Governor, elected to be responsible for the lives and livelihood of the people of this state… then stand up and act like it!”

   “For the healing of the nations, Lord, we pray with one accord;
   for a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords;
   to a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word,
   help us rise and pledge our word.”

   Let this verse and hymn be a call to action for all people of conscience. Let it be a challenge to our Governor, and let’s keep fighting until the day when children in the Coal River Valley can go to a school in their community that doesn’t make them sick, or threaten their lives. My Appalachian family, you are my inspiration and light.

   Solidarity forever!

2. 2 Matt Reitman Mar 18th, 2007 at 10:01 pm

   so mountain justice spring break was great.

   heads up for next year y’all

3. 3 changesistemikly Mar 19th, 2007 at 3:49 pm

   this event was amazing
   .
   in terms of police brutality, it was enough to make you literally feel sick. but more incredible, and a message that is being lost— is that we occupied the office for almost the entire day, singing and speaking of the community and world we dream to see—and a just energy future that we have to win.

   the community we stood in solidarity with and some of its allies have fought for a new school in the marsh fork community for years.

   for three years just about every avenue has been taken by local leaders there.

   this event was a culmination of many of these efforts saying enough was enough—where youth, community organizers, campaigners, etc —- were welcomed by these couragous local leaders to support their fights and struggles –as part a larger fight —- to demand a new school in that community

   to support those at the front lines of energy justice.

   the root of where the carbon is taken from the ground—a mountaintop removal site. and in this case, a elementary school located underneath a mountaintop removal site, 2.8 billion lb toxic coal slurry impoundment, a coal silo and NOW a proposed second silo.

   we all came together—different areas of the climate struggle to fight for this issue: for a new school to be built in the marsh fork community, so that no child is the sacrifice of dirty energy.

   so that those at the root of the climate crisis are not depopulated from appalachia or elsewhere…

   recently, i’ve heard people say we’re on the “tipping” point of the climate movement, but what the hell are we waiting for….lets tip it.

   i’ve heard enough stories about families with cancer and children with chronic illnesses related to coal dust, toxic coal slurry, flooding, and much much worse.

   when are the stories–globally and locally– enough that we all put ourselves on the line a bit and fight too?

   for a total overhaul of the energy system,
   for a fight until we have a just energy future.
   la

1. 1 “Clean” coal coming to MA? at It’s Getting Hot In Here Trackback on Mar 20th, 2007 at 8:24 am

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