This article originally provided by The Charleston Gazette

October 1, 2006

Environmental tour hits state

Nation-trekking activists rally with mountaintop removal foes at Capitol

By Sarah K. Winn
Staff writer

Though the debate over mountaintop-removal mining has played out mostly in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, it was clear Saturday that it resonates with activists from across the country.

The Environmental Justice For All tour, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about environmental threats, stopped in Charleston to rally support for state activists fighting the mining practice.

“Their work toward justice is happening all over,” said Hillary Hosta, a member of the environmental watchdog group Coal River Mountain Watch. “Their support helps us recognize that we are not alone in our resistance.”

The tour kicked off Sept. 24 with activist groups traveling through the South, Northeast and West Coast. They will convene in Washington today.

In all, about 70 groups — supporting causes such as environmental protection, social justice, public health, human rights and workers’ rights — are participating.

With Coal River Mountain Watch members, the tour members viewed mountaintop removal sites and coal waste sludge dams in Southern West Virginia.

“Environmental injustice” tends to occur in minority and poor areas throughout the country, said Monique Harden, a New Orleans lawyer and co-director of Advocates for Environmental Human Rights.

“What we are fighting against is the losing of our communities,” she said. “And our communities are saying we are sick and tired of it.”

Harden compared the tour to the “freedom riders” during the Civil Rights movement.

Hilton Kelley of Port Arthur, Texas, said the oil refineries are polluting his community.

“We are just regular people that are sick and tired of our communities being destroyed, “ he said. “If our government can’t stand up and protect the people of this country, then we need to stand up and protect it ourselves.”

Maria Gunnoe said mountaintop-removal mining has destroyed her home near Bob White. Now it’s time to consider other options for energy, she said.

“Last time I checked, energy can be produced without coal,” she said. “Coal is a necessary part of the state’s economy but not the only part.”

West Virginians need to fight the coal companies for a cleaner, healthier environment, she said.

“People should not have to sacrifice to make other people comfortable,” she said. “It’s time for us to stand up and say it’s over.”

To contact staff writer Sarah K. Winn, use e-mail or call 348-5156.