Iran is not the only place where government agencies are trying to disrupt organizers advocating for change.
Today, the West Virginia State Police picked up four Climate Ground Zero activists at home in Rock Creek on some old charges from October. Back during a peaceful march for seniors against mountaintop removal organized by 81 year old Roland Micklem, two young activists –Gabe Schwartzman, 19, and David German, 18– were arrested for unfurling a banner on top of Walker CAT’s headquarters. The charges are related to that banner drop. Last month, the state police arrested Micklem for the same charge.
As a result of the Oct. banner hang, Walker CAT president Steve Walker equated the anti-MTR activists with suicide bombers, that’s right, suicide bombers.
Next month, Climate Ground Zero has organized a three week winter action camp which will prepare 30-50 anti-MTR for actions in the Coal River Valley to carry out civil disobedience actions.
We’ve spent 2009 escalating the fight to end mountaintop removal. The coal industry spent 2009 escalating their rhetoric (example above) to cast us as “extremists” and “terrorists,” and encouraging intimidation and violence in the coalfields. Now West Virginia law enforcement is arresting activists and lead organizers in Rock Creek on “old” charges.
Could these arrests be a pre-emptive arrest to disrupt Climate Ground Zero’s activities? Let’s hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Four Climate Ground Zero activists arrested today in Rock Creek, West Virginia
Rock Creek, WV – At 3:47 pm, Tuesday, four Climate Ground Zero activists were arrested for trespass at their homes in Rock Creek, West Virginia. Matt Louis-Rosenberg, Jacqueline Quimby, Kimberly Ellis and James McGuiness were taken to the Kanawha County Courthouse by State Police. State Trooper Lt. Bowers. The charges stem from an October 10 demonstration at Walker CAT’s headquarters, which challenged Walker’s misleading pro-coal advertising campaign at which Gabe Schwartzman, 19, and David German, 18, were arrested by City of Belle Police and cited for trespassing on a structure or conveyance. The two had unfurled a banner which read, “Yes, Coal is Killing West Virginia’s Communities” .
More information as the situation develops. For more information, call Mike Roselle, Climate Ground Zero 304 854 7372.