This article originally provided by WBOY and /or WTRF

June 1, 2005

16 People Arrested In Mine Protest

State police arrest more anti-mountain top removal protestors at a coal preparation plant in Raleigh County.

Story by Jessica Quast Email | Bio

About 100 people gathered for a rally in front of Massey Energy's Goal Coal Company this afternoon.

This is the second rally and the second time protestors were arrested in front of the same plant in two weeks.

They say coal companies are stealing Appalachia... and they want your attention to stop Mountain Top Removal.... And some are prepared to march, protest, and yes even get arrested for their cause.

The protestors want Massey to close the preparation plant and clean up Marsh Fork Elementary school.

They also want Massey to stop blasting operations near their homes.

In all 16 people were arrested for trespassing.

Some are people living in Marsh Fork and surrounding areas.

Others are members of Mountain Justice Summer- a grassroot group of young adults from the Appalachia region.

This was not a violent protest.

But members of MJS also say this will not be the last rally.

In fact, members tell me they plan to spend this summer making waves... fighting to save the mountains.