In response to Massey Energy’s harmful abuse of the Coal River Mountain tree sitters, call Massey’s international headquarters Monday, Jan. 25, starting at 9 a.m. and demand they immediately stop illegally using noisemakers to harass the tree sitters.
Here’s a video that shows the noise and the banners from two miles away:
After four days 60 ft up in the air, the treesitters, David Aaron Smith, 23, Amber Nitchman, 19 and Eric Blevins, 28, are still going strong. Massey’s sleep deprivation by air horn isn’t making things easy, and the sleet, fog, mist, and rain aren’t helping either – but every time that people have talked to them, they sound upbeat and steadfast. The sitters plan to endure the discomforts created by Massey security and the weather and hold out for as long as possible to defend Coal River Mountain.
Instead of permanently ending blasting on Coal River, Massey is trying to harass the sitters into leaving using the sound machine, hitting the platforms with a rope, cutting down nearby trees and constant flood lights. Some of the harassment has stopped, but the sound machine continues, possibly causing permanent hearing loss. We need to call Massey’s international headquarters Monday, Jan. 25, starting at 9 a.m. and demand they immediately stop illegally using noisemakers to harass the tree sitters.
Can you call Massey?
Call Jose Alfaro, Office of the Chairman (Blankenship)
1-804-782-1628
If you can’t get through on that line, call the main switchboard (below):
The phone number is 804-788-1800 (Richmond, Va)
Ask for:
Don L. Blankenship
Baxter F. Phillips Jr.
Eric B. Tolbert
J. Christopher Adkins
Mark A. Clemens
Jeffrey M. Jarosinski
John M. Poma
M. Shane Harvey
Richard R. Grinnan
Steve Edgar Sears
The following is a sample script for the call:
[[petition-3]]
You failed to provide a number to call to DEMAND an end to the tree sitters and all futher illegal activity and acts of violence on the part of the enviros. These acts endanger the people/miners of Raleigh County and West Virginia. You failed to mention the tree sitters were breaking the law. You telling the people of WV to support your illegal acts…. sorry we are not under your spell as the sitters are.
Are their tactics and their ultimate goal really wrong though, Coal is great? Those in power will go to any measure to ensure they remain in power, including defining certain acts that may cost them power/money as illegal. It was illegal for blacks to go in certain stores, use certain water fountains, sit in certain spots on buses, etc… but does that mean the law was right? These are people too – the are living, breathing human beings who need food, water, shelter and work to have these things… why then could they not do the same things as their lighter-skinned human brothers and sisters who have the same exact needs and wants? The law was wrong, and we’re still working on making a more fair and equal world for all.
As for this situation: Massey is destroying a place that is home to millions of humans and billions of animals. Coal-related jobs are not permanent as coal is not an infinite resource. Once the mountains are destroyed and coal is gone, what will locals have left? Nothing.
Some times you have to do something, anything to make a change for the better in the world – and some times those things may be labeled as illegal, but you know and others will know that you are right.
Keep fightin’ everyone in W.VA!
Massey is poisoning and blasting women and children. That is the illegal activity and the only people in danger are the people that live near Massey mining sites. Massey and the strip miners are commiting crimes against innocent people.
Thanks to our heroes the tree sitters! America is seeing that coal is not great.
AS a matter of fact – momentum against strip mining and sludge dams is quickly growing in America. Your days are numbered coal- because you cave men are too arrogant to take the nasty visuals of strip mining and sludge out of the picture by stopping the destruction. You might have been able to still underground mine coal but you are giving the American public quite a reason to become environmentalists.
Can yall list the number for the state police so we can flood them with calls until they go force Massey to shut off the airhorns?
Hey Judy you seem as you can enlighten us with heroic words of the End is near. Why don’t you Mrs. Bonds go on record and provide a your humbled readers and dirty workers on where and how underground coal mining is the source of the slurry/sludge ponds. Yes MTR needs them as required by law. Underground uses them for they must “wash their coal”. Oh wait I thought I was gonna let you say it…. Cave men? How clever, slumlord. You see I try to be as kind and respectful as can be but with a woman with a tongue as that and disrespecting all mankind with that slang, you need to be put in your place. Your teaming with Mike needs to be brought back in the spotlight and the interview you gave to WSAZ a few years ago when Mike Roselle and a few others chained themselves to a small excavator. I remember you look of disgust and scared words when you said I am against MTR but I wish no harm on anyone for or against coal. I wish no harm to you as well but it seems as if he has strings and paddles on you now also. So now who is bowing to the King Jihadist? If he even knows what he was saying when he said it.
KY Mudd: I don’t suggest contacting the police about this more than we already have. There is no use for irritating the police further; they aren’t going to stop the harassment until they get a court order to. Massey however is going to blast that noise regardless of what we do, might as well tie up their phones for a day and give them a little noise of their own.
I called and got the switchboard woman also. At least they know there is alot of us against this.
The switchboard lady said she was instructed to write down the phone numbers of people that called, and that was there method of tracking it, and she read back my phone number to me to confirm. Keep calling folks and let em know people of area codes far and wide are watching what they do, and Massey is looking really, really bad.
I called and got a female who also said she took my number as a method of recording my complaint (scary? Hate to know how long Massey keeps those/what they do with em). I basically asked that Massey “put away their noise makers”
I also called another time from our school paper to ask whether they had a comment about their use of noise makers
Response: “Not today”
I then asked them to stop again.
AGAIN, I HOPE JUDY BONDS ROTS IN THE FIERY DEPTHS OF HELL!! AND QUIT DELETING MY POSTS YOU FUCKIN REJECTS!
Dear Tree Sitters and all your friends,
I am proud of you, but I worry that what you are doing may not be safe. Be sure you do not get hurt. Your work is tremendously important.
Called the switchboard – apparently a temp operator has been hired to field most of these calls – she said that there’s been a “lot” of them, and that she’s forwarding them, but that she has no idea where they’re going. She logged my number, and I told her there’s a group of us in Washington State watching this carefully. Left a message with a polite receptionist at Jasinsky’s office, telling them that I was with a law firm that was following this closely.
I am appalled and offended by the actions of massey in regards to the coal river mountain. please stop now. it it is wrong and I beg you to consider the longterm environmental impact of this process. Please stop!!!
I just sent emails to WSAZ and WOWK (the two big affiliates in the Coal River Mountain area) asking them to report on the tree-sit. I included information about how the company is treating the three sitters and the harassment they are experiencing. Let’s hope they get some media coverage!
I called both the main number and “the office of the chairman.” I kept the guy who answered on the phone for a few minutes demanding that he write down my message.
This really is ridiculous. If laws and regulations worked, we wouldn’t have to do this. And they wouldn’t have to sit in trees at all. Blasting with thousands of pounds of explosives within 100 ft. of an earthen damn holding back 8 billion gallons of coal slurry shouldn’t be allowed. Our gov’t has failed us.
For the angry miners who’ve been posting, I understand that you’ve been told that us “enviro’s” are trying to make it so you don’t have jobs. It’s understandable to be a upset if that were the story, but it’s not.
MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL = LESS MINING JOBS AND DESTROYING -YOUR OWN- HABITAT
I guess the house, apartment or wherever each of you are setting reading this sits on land which current use is different from its original use was never developed…bulldozed or otherwise altered….. right??
consider the environmental impact of your PC or cell phone…..
i’m pretty sure the people would rather mine coal at a decent wage than work in a park or preserve or other “green” job
We called then main switchboard and Jeff’s office. The operators were very nice and cooperative.
It’s true that mountaintop removal destroys MORE jobs and mountains and water you can drink and air that doesn’t make you sick….the only people who benefit are the fat cat CEO’s. Mining requires more jobs & workers and the fat cat’s don’t want to pay for more workers…they just want their money. SUPPORT JOBS AND OUR HARD-WORKING MINERS & END MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL.
The number for WV state police is…Main information number
304-746-2100
I called and left a message on Alfaro’s voicemail, since I didn’t get this msg. till late at night in Arizona. I think its a great cause. I’m a college student and have taken Environmental Ethics class, which I think should be required for anyone who works in an energy field like this, just like communication is required, along with psychology, for a lot of Peace Officers. Coal mining, along with petroleum-fueled automobiles, is a technology that needs to be rapidly phased out not just for the environment and humankind, but for the future of the American economy! (And I know, I’m taking a world history class right now and learning about how stagnant, outdated technology usage led to the fall of the Indian and Chinese economies in the 18th century!). But first and foremost, what worries me most is flagging ethics of the Massey Company in lieu of a government that has practiced torture. In the message, I stated that I would like to share some ideas with Massey, like transitioning their resources to a “soft energy path” (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.). In fact, perhaps even as soon as 2010, our government will make a massive investment in such industries and provide incentive for Massey to change its course. But the moral incentive should be first and foremost. Be human. Treat others as you would have yourself treated–the golden rule behind all major religions, and in my opinion this especially applies to people who will go down as great Americans, alongside the abolitionists and suffragettes. Make no mistake, these persecuted American activists are the heroes of tomorrow’s history textbooks, and it is because of such individuals, starting out in small groups, that all major positive changes in American history have occurred.
I called again but this time on Blankenships phone and was able to leave a message. This was at least more than I was able to do yesterday.
Progress miner- underground mines do NOT require sludge dams. There are other methods to clean coal- how about the dry press method. You need to be put in your place-
Also I think you are mistaken- I don’t think that was me in that interview you are talking about. I think it was Ms. Scarbro but no matter- the truth was spoken anyway. Your point was what??????
I was replying to another pro coal poster and not you- you are not respectful and you was just looking for an opportunity to be a cave “man”. how dare a woman speak out in a way that you big ole men don’t like!
Oh by the way – I heard a rumor that Massey miners are bragging that the next time a peaceful – non violent protesters chains them selves to a piece of equipment – that they will pretend to not see them and then run the equipment. That is called “pre meditated murder”.
Keep up the great PR campaign you have going – your posts show every one what you are about. Massey really cares about it’s workers.
Shows what I am about? Yeah let them see all my posts, I never made a threat to anyone. Nice throwing your friend under the bus also. PR? For who? UG mines don’t huh? They are required the same exact standards for their coal mining and slurry and sludge. If this is not true. and Beetree is just now a job starting, then why does Marfork have the Brushy Fork dam before this CONTOUR mine came about? Why did Independence Coal have the dam at Edwight before Goals and Edwight MTR came about? Judy I am not here to argue, just state the facts you so lack in. Hurts when you have ties to underground mining huh?
called Baxter Phillips’ office again today. Secretary said he was on a conference call, took my name, number, and reason for calling. Also reminded her that I’d be calling everyday until I received a call back. Maybe they’ll get tired of hearing my name!
Well is she going to respond this one Progress Miner? Well let’s see what is the difference in your “volunteers” climbing on a dragline and pulling a man off it, causing him a days work and also causing him to go the hospital for treatment, I am telling you right now if I was that man’s family, you guys would not have a leg to stand on when I got through with you guys. Is that not breaking the law? YES IT WAS!
If the men do not see the “volunteers” when they get ready to go to work, then we have to take them at their word and if something happens it happens you shouldn’t have your “volunteers” out there tresspassing anyway. WVJUDY I really feel sorry for you, you are and show the likes of a miserable person who acts as though they are big and bad, I think you need to find salvation. Praise the Lord for our coal miners!
I will keep requesting prayer for our coal miners and their families and all of our vendors that depend on coal. My husband was just told that he could get some overtime now, so my prayers are getting answered by my wonderful powerful God a God that still is in the saving business, JUDY!
Hey, ain’t this hunting season for squirrel, rabbit and a lot of other crittes? Ain’t it illegal to make a lot of racket in the woods, ruining hunters’ chances? Seems like someone ought to prosecute.
You out of state people need to realize that COAL is West Virginia how about instead of coming to wv to start trouble you worry about your own state. How about instead of breaking the law you go about it in a ADULT manor. Better yet how about just leave us alone!
hoo ray for the tree sitters. they are the bravest among us all !
Raychel you rock sister. I don’t think she will. Maybe if everyone living under her houses roofs knew if she sold property to the mining company they would appreciate the roofs they are under and the electricity they use 100% more. This is second hand information about her selling out some years back but I am working on official info and it will be posted here and the local outlets if it is true. I have been told also about retaliation towards companies when you choose to sell. I just wished I had the time to research this, if I did, you would think I didn’t have a job.
Hey Progress Miner, if you need any help brother you holler at me. I am willing to help you and all the other miners that need help.
Yeah Progress Miner if you didn’t work to help keep my lights on(which I thank you for that) you would have all this time to go sit in trees or hang out at the Capital in Charleston and do your research but you know some of us have to work to support our families and send our kids to college and keep what we have worked hard for down through the years. God Bless You Brother.
Hey W V Judy, what happened to Jaybird or H H? Did she suddenly fly away to Ca? Wonder why? lol.
Raychel, thanks a bunch! I’m sure i will whether we as foes here on Earth can never find common ground, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. The one thing I am pleased to see is their many Christians on here visiting the site. I say this, if 50% of the CGZ and what ever affiliation would go door to door passing out gospel tracts they would find out everyone in WV is a Christian. Maybe they will learn that not all miners aren’t redneck, rebel flag waving, curse tongued murderers they think we are, as they do God’s most endearing commandment. God Bless you Raychel, your husband and family. Sure is cold out, think I’ll throw some coal in the stove. You know if you really want to know how Twilight MTR(Progress Coal) come about and from whom the land was bought, ask the UNION. Yeah the place where the banner didn’t fly!