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Updated: 3:16 PM Jun 18, 2009
Massey Says WV Mine Employee Hurt by Protesters
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Authorities say 14 people arrested Thursday during a protest at a Massey Energy surface mine in West Virginia are facing felony conspiracy charges. Posted: 11:45 AM Jun 18, 2009Reporter: TIM HUBER - AP Business Writer |
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2 Comments 
Authorities say 14 people arrested Thursday during a protest at a Massey Energy surface mine in West Virginia are facing felony conspiracy charges.
Boone County Deputy Justin Dalton says four people who climbed the 300-foot boom of a dragline at the Twilight surface mine also are charged with misdemeanor trespassing, fleeing on foot, littering and battery. Dalton says ten others also are charged with trespassing.
Protester Charles Suggs says climbing the dragline was worth it because it brought more attention to the issue of mountaintop removal mining. He says that's an enormously destructive practice that must be stopped.
State Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training spokeswoman Jama Jarrett says an agency inspector saw a protester pull a Massey worker off the dragline.
Rainforest Action Network spokeswoman Nell Greenberg says none of the protesters acted violently.
Latest Comments
i think you are missing the point tanya. The miner may have had a pre-existing condition; that is a moot point. If these morons had not put that miner in that position he would not have needed medical attention. By the letter of the law, they are completely responsible for whatever may have happened when they performed this stunt. Like it or not, those are the facts.
Claiming a miner has been “injured by anti-mining protesters” is clearly a tactic of the coal industry to combat the message of the action. The AP should be ashamed for printing such propaganda! These concerned citizens are absolutely non-violent and would sacrifice their own safety before that of a miner. My understanding is that the miner had a pre-existing condition, and history of stroke, when he became short of breath, nowhere near the protesters. I am sorry for his current condition, as I’m sure the protesters are as well. This is unfortunate but should in no way jeopardize the message of this action. Mountaintop removal is sacrificing land, humans, and heritage and is quite possibly the greatest environmental and human rights violation in this country… perpetuated by our government on our citizens! May God have mercy on the souls of coal execs and the politicians who support them!
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