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This article originally provided by The Register-Herald
May 25, 2005
Two arrested after protesting Massey facility near school
By Amelia A. Pridemore/Register-Herald Reporter
Bo Webb didn't want to get arrested Tuesday, but he doesn't regret that he wound up doing so.
"I have no regrets," he said. "... if that's what it takes, that's what it takes. Someone has to protect those kids."
The 56-year-old Naoma resident was arrested Tuesday afternoon along with Julia Bonds, 52, of Rock Creek, for trespassing during an estimated 65-person protest against a Massey Energy facility located near Marsh Fork Elementary School at Sundial.
The two allegedly march-ed a half-mile with other protesters from a site near the school to the Massey facility entrance for a hour-and-a-half rally, said Capt. Scott VanMeter of the West Virginia State Police. VanMeter said Webb and Bonds walked onto Massey property with a list of the protesters' demands and asked to speak to the person in charge. Security officials spoke to them, but they refused to leave until someone in a higher position spoke to them, he said.
The two were then arrested for trespassing and were later released on bond.
The protest was conducted by supporters of Mountain Justice Summer, described on the Internet as a call to action and a request for help in protecting Appalachian lands from use by the coal industry.
Webb and other protesters believe their actions could save lives.
According to a media release written by Bonds, Massey owns Goals Coal Co., which operates a coal preparation plant, loading silo and coal sludge impoundment above Marsh Fork Elementary. There is also a mountaintop removal site directly above the sludge dam, the release stated. The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is considering Massey's application to construct a second loading silo next to another which is situated 150 feet from school grounds.
The West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection will conduct a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday at Marsh Fork Elementary at which residents can voice concerns over the silo and over the renewal of renewal of Massey's permit to operate the impoundment.
Webb said the demands he and Bonds brought into the Massey facility were for Massey to shut the facility down. He said he would also like to see the company clean Marsh Fork Elementary or build a new school in the Coal River Valley. He claims he has received reports of students and employees of Marsh Fork Elementary becoming ill because of being near the mine site.
The protesters say they believe the impoundment holds the potential not only for tragedy, but for outright catastrophe should it fail.
During the past two years, Webb said, he has contacted several agencies including the governor's office and the Raleigh County Board of Education for help.
Webb complimented the West Virginia State Police for treating him and Bonds with "respect and decency" during their arrest.
VanMeter said State Police were on the scene during the entire protest because of its location along narrow W.Va. 3. He said the protest, despite the two arrests, was peaceful.
Efforts to reach Massey Tuesday were unsuccessful.
-- E-mail:
apridemore@register-herald.com
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