Two activists arrested for blockading entrance to Massey Energy HQ, bail set at $100,000 each

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

If you think that's unusually high, you don't know the WV "justice" system:
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Madison, W.Va. – EmmaKate Martin and Benjamin Bryant were arrested this morning while blockading the driveway to Massey Energy’s regional headquarters in Boone county, W.Va. Magistrate Snodgrass set their bails at $100,000 each for misdemeanor charges of trespassing, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, obstructing an officer, and littering.

Nick Martin, EmmaKate’s older brother and participant in Climate Ground Zero’s campaign of civil resistance, stated “As I hugged my little sister following her arraignment this morning, I was awed by her calmness and high spirits. I admire her courage, and her willingness to put her freedom on the line for the well being of Appalachian communities and the environment. I will worry about her constantly until she is free. My sister is my hero!”

EmmaKate Martin was perched on a platform suspended in a tripod, a structure built with rope and three log poles, and Bryant was locked to the base of a pole. Both Martin and Bryant underwent extensive non-violence training prior to their action. Their banner read “Massey, Profits Before People & Mountains, Fight Back!”

<...>

There is an emerging pattern of non-violent protesters receiving heavy-handed punishment while those who use violence against them are let off the hook. On July 4, 2009, on Kayford Mountain, Adam Pauley threatened to kill families who had gathered to celebrate Independence Day at the Mountain Keepers Festival. He was not arrested, but was given a $100 fine and six months unsupervised probation when found guilty of verbal assault in a February 2010 trial brought against him by Mountain Keeper Larry Gibson. Rock Creek resident, Ruth Tucker, slapped Judy Bonds, outspoken mountaintop removal abolitionist, at a non-violent protest on June 23, 2009. She was released on personal recognizance and given a $100 fine six months after the fact. Climate Ground Zero activist, Jacqueline Quimby was recently sentenced to sixty days in jail for an act of non-violent civil disobedience at a Kanawha County mine site.

more:
http://climategroundzero.net/2010/05/magistrate-sets-100000-bail-for-non-violent-protestors/

[Webster Green]

1. You don't mess with Boss Hog.

He runs the town.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

3. funny you should mention that...

the crooked county commissioner in logan county led a mob in attacking a group of senior citizens opposed to mtr a few years back

his reward?
a new job working for the governor

[flvegan]

2. In many cases, activist = terrorist these days, in their eyes..

Get used to it.

[Mojeoux]

4. This is infuriating.

These people are standing up for the environment, the community and for all the workers of the world.

Cindy Sheehan changed the way people looked at the war.

Can the oil spill change public perception from the idea of environmentalism being silly?

[leftstreet]

5. K&R

[Petrushka]

6. K & R --- [**sigh**]

:kick:

[Angry Dragon]

7. The feds need to investigate this

Sounds like civil rights violations by the courts.

[gimama]

8. k&r for justice! eom

[EFerrari]

9. K&R. Heroes, both.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

10. In other news, there's a major protest planned to coincide with a hearing on MTR today

the "Fire Don Blankenship" protest will be at Massey HQ in Richmond, Va.

while a public comment session by the EPA regarding what would be the largest MTR mine to date will be held in Charleston, WV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Environmentalists and the coal industry are rallying their people to speak out about a high-stakes federal attempt to revoke a permit for what stood to be the largest surface mine in West Virginia.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced in late March it would revoke an existing permit and prohibit or, at the very least, significantly restrict mountaintop mining at the Spruce No. 1 surface mine in Logan County.
---
more:
http://www.dailymail.com/News/201005170789

[Petrushka]

11. K & R --- Thank you for the link and keeping us (relocated West Virginia natives) up-to-date.

:kick:

[Scurrilous]

12. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Mabus]

13. K&R

And a big thanks to Roselle, Guin and the rest of the Climate Ground Zero activists!