Chicago action in solidarity with Appalachians Against Pipelines
"A Bank of America branch was locked and windows wheatepasted with flyers containing links to the bank’s abhorrent acts of cruelty. ... Block every path! No pipelines through Appalachia, or anywhere! Solidarity forever! Stop Cop City and Free Palestine!"
Banners dropped in #Philadelphia, "condemning BlackRock for their investment in both the construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline and Elbit Systems."
Happening now! “I think being a parent has helped me be more fearless, more bold, get my priorities straight with what’s important,” stated Madeline ffitch, Appalachian mother, who locked herself to a Mountain Valley Pipeline drill on Peters Mountain this morning. She has been preventing MVP from drilling under the Appalachian Trail in the Jefferson National Forest since 6:30am. A banner at the lock down reads, “MOUNTAIN MAMAS SAY NO MVP.” Come join a rally at the gate on Pocahontas Rd to support Madeline!
“I take my cues from other mothers who make great sacrifices everyday to protect their children and families,” continued Madeline. “I’m thinking right now in particular of mothers and families in Gaza trying to protect their children while the bombs are falling, knowing that no one in power is standing up for them and their families like they should. And I also have a huge amount of respect that Appalachian families, especially Appalachian women, have been pushing for years to make sure there is clean water and clean air for their children to drink and breathe in a place that is too often seen as a sacrifice zone. I think mothers have common sense, fearlessness, and a no-nonsense sensibility to bring truth to power.”
Yesterday I stopped work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline. I locked to the drill, 79-year-old Marty Zinn locked to part of the track (she's under the umbrella), & four others were in foot locks blocking the entrance.
Marty summed up why we're doing this beautifully: "I have lived a long life at almost 80 years old; I want to help ensure that young people today and in the future have a chance to live a life too, and one that is worth living. I am acting for them. That is why I came to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Its sole purpose is to transport fracked natural gas mostly for export to foreign countries and make a lot of money for fossil fuel corporations and their owners—meanwhile further endangering the survival of all we know."
These elders are such an inspiration to me, as are all activists working to protect their land and water. The Greenbrier River, which the drill I was sitting on will travel underneath, is the longest undammed river in the eastern US.
This pipeline endangers hundreds of waterways, and would be responsible for 90 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. We cannot build this pipeline.
Listen to the science. Listen to your elders.
Happening now! Two pipeline fighters have locked down to drilling equipment on the banks of the Greenbrier River to stop construction of the MVP. Nearby, 4 elder protestors have locked down in rocking chairs blocking the way. #NoMVP