Posted inFossil fuel / News / Protest / USA Empire

Protestors Shut Down Obama Backed Strip Mine in West Virginia

Ramping up renewed efforts to end mountaintop removal mining in central Appalachia, scores of protesters staged a daring action at the controversial Hobet strip mine today in Boone County, West Virginia, shutting down operations through a series of coordinated lock downs, tree-sits and banner drops. In a symbolic challenge to the Obama administration , the protest targeted the Hobet 45 mountaintop removal mine, which had been granted a widely denounced permit over two years ago.

According to RAMPS, a West Virginia-based grassroots groups that organized the “mountain mobilization” protest as part of a nationwide summer of actions against devastating extraction industry operations, St. Louis-based mine owner Patriot Coal has left behind a legacy of destruction in coal country for both area residents and miners. Patriot filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, which could also affect pension and United Mine Workers of America union contracts. http://www.alternet.org/speakeasy/jeffbiggers/breaking-daring-protestors-shut-down-obama-backed-strip-mine-west-virginia-0

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *