Yesterday in Wise Virginia, the group who put their bodies on the line to stop the construction of Dominion’s newest coal-fired power plant on Sep. 15th appeared in court to agree to a plea agreement and read statements about their action.
They had been charged with four counts ranging from trespass to unlawful assembly. Two other members of the blockade were charged with ten additional counts of inciting a riot. Eight of the eleven arrested were UNDER 25. (A week later, Al Gore called for more young people to commit acts of civil disobedience to stop coal plants.)
Small rural communities, concerned citizens and activists struggle against a multi-billion dollar industry funded by Wall Street and regulated by a complicit political system. Virginia’s utility behemoth, Dominion Resources, has one of the most powerful lobbying machines in Virgina, spending over $1 million on local lobbying since 1993, and gave Gov. Tim Kaine more than $135K. Furthermore, we’ve witnessed police forces in both Richmond and Wise act as the companies personal security force with Richmond police physically attacking locked down Earth Firsters on behalf of the company and Dominion’s lawyers consulted at every level of the criminal process. 
The supposedly “clean” $1.8 billion plant is expected to poison and pollute local groundwater, air and the Clinch River with various chemicals and by-products. 25% of Wise county has been strip-mined by mountaintop removal. Mountaintop removal and the coal industry has not only declared war on Appalachia’s environment, but it’s people as well. Besides being an environmental sacrifice zone, Wise county and Appalachia is one of the poorest regions in the nation.
Here are some of the statements read to the court:
Kathryn Hilton, Aiken, S.C: “The mining of coal and its use in coal-fired power plants is not the answer to the energy issues facing people in Virginia or anywhere else. There are proven facts on the negative impacts from coal-fired power plants. From the mountaintop removal that occurs during excavation to the excess in mercury the plant releases during operation, coal is not an energy source that needs continuing.”
Robin Markle,High Falls, NY: “Dominion’s actions are reprehensible, and I expect them to take responsibility for their actions as I take responsibility for my own. I went ahead with my actions knowing they were illegal because I am afraid for the future of our world,” Markle said. “I feel that I would be acting in a far more morally reprehensible manner were I not to take a stand at this time.”
Kate Lally,Baltimore, Md: “The people of Wise County deserve clean water, the mountains they love and clean air to breathe. Investing in renewable energy would provide jobs and increase opportunities for a brighter Appalachia.”
Groups of half dozen and a dozen (sometimes more, sometimes less) are putting their bodies on the line against coal plants, coal mines and coal financiers. Actions are happening all over against Dominion, Dynegy, Duke Energy, Citibank, Bank of America and many other coal and climate criminals.
A movement has emerged not led by parties, politicians or non-profits, but by America’s youth, frontline communities and concerned environmentalists everywhere. They are the TRUE Davids in this struggle against the Goliath of the coal industry.
WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE HERE IN AUSTRALIA WE HAVE BEEN ACTIVE AGAINST PEABODY CORPORATION XSTRATA COAL AND ALSO FELIX RECOURCES I SAY MAINTAIN THE RAGE GET THE PUBLICITY PUT THESE PEOPLE ON NOTICE.GO TO THE GOVERNMENTS OWN WEBSITES HERE IN AUSTRALIA AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE DANGERS OF COAL 21 POISONOUS CHEMICALS 9 THAT WILL GIVE YOU CANCER AND MY FREINDS THAT IS ONLY FROM THE EXTRACTION OF COAL.THEN YOU HAVE THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT THE DANGERS OF SICKNESS AND DISEASE SUFFERED BY LOCAL COMMUNITYS THE POISONING OF THE GROUND WATER THE POLLUTING OF THE ATMOSPHERE THE LIST JUST GROWS AND GROWS.I HAVE SEEN IT ALL AS I LIVE IN BETWEEN TWO COALMINES ON SOLAR POWER AND GROW ALL MY OWN FRUIT AND VEGIES AND LOOK AFTER OUR MOST VALUABLE WATER SOURCE THAT THESE MORONS POLLUTE.I SAY THE COAL INDUSTRY DO NOT OWN THE EARTH THE COAL INDUSTRY DO NOT OWN THE WATER AND AIR IT BELONGS TO EVERY LIVING THING ON THE PLANET.AND THE GOVERNMENTS OF THIS WORLD HAVE NO RIGHT TO SELL OUR WATER AND OUR AIR IT BELONGS TO LIFE.MONEY WILL NEVER REPAIR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY COAL COAL MUST BE STOPPED AND IT IS UP TO THE PEOPLE TO STOP IT…
ROBBO ULAN NSW AUSTRALIA…
Hopefully Al Gore will start hiring hot shot lawyers to give these courageous citizens the representation their action merits.
With the right resources, could these cases be appealed to higher courts? How long before we catch up with the UK, recognizing here in the states that blocking the development of coal is an act in defense of property, not in violation of it?
To all of you who participated in this action – whether in planning, execution, or support – I commend your sacrifice and leadership, and I thank you for your commitment to our future.
interesting stuff!