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Organizer Dave Cooper from the Mountain Top Removal Road Show addresses those attending the rally/march.
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Sunday, July 20, 2008 at National Coal Corporation’s Zeb Mountain mine in Campbell County, Tennessee, four protesters were arrested in solidarity with United Mountain Defense, Three Rivers Earth First!, Mountain Justice, Christians for the Mountains and coal-impacted residents of Appalachia.
These brave individuals gave speeches of hope for solidarity amongst miners, activists and entire communities that are affected by the devastations of surface mining for coal. Holding hands and singing Amazing Grace along with more than 50 protesters behind them, they crossed the line onto National Coal’s property. Once across the line police calmly handcuffed and arrested them.
Having already destroyed more than 1,300 acres of Zeb Mountain, Knoxville-based National Coal has set its sights on other peaks across the state. Among the places it wants to mine is land in Sundquist Wildlife Management Area, a public game preserve that drains into Nashville’s drinking water supply.
One of those arrested yesterday was Eric Blevins of Grandview, Tenn. “I crossed an artificial line today because Appalachia is my homeland, and its life is being destroyed far faster than it can regenerate,” he said. “I wanted to open people’s minds to how insane it is that we allow corporations to own land without loving it and keeping life sustainable.”
The march began with a prayer led by Christians for the Mountains and included political theater, giant puppets, speeches, and renditions of “Rocky Top,” one of Tennessee’s state songs. It was organized by United Mountain Defense, Mountain Justice and Three Rivers Earth First!.
www.mountainjusticesummer.org
Duration : 0:3:9
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