West Virginians Squat on Governor's Doorstep to Stop MTR

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By Babette Hogan (about the author) Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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For OpEdNews: Babette Hogan - Writer

Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia has taken a lot of heat these days, all for the love of coal. Protesters in the state Capitol insisted that the two-time Governor could arrest the violent surface mining of Coal River Mountain, situated in the South-West of the state if he wanted to. However, the only thing arrested were the protesters.

Our friend and fellow videographer, "FluxRostrum" posted this video today showing local and student activists squatting at the Governor's with a burning desire to speak truth to power.

Manchin has said that he does not have the authority to overstep the federally granted rights of the out-of-state corporations who are conducting the surface mining. A legal opinion called Dillon's Law, which instituted the rights of property owners (read "corporations") over the right of individuals (read "communities"), provides the necessary veil behind which the Governor can defend himself. However, the opinon can be challenged and that would be a strong statement from the pro-death penalty, anti-choice Democratic Governor of West Virginia for his constituents. Where the Governor's pro-corporate cards may be more apparent is in the lack of prosecution of errant coal and drug companies whose accidents have often cost local communities their survivability and have compromised the health of its residents.

West Virginia residents concerned with demanding local rights within their state may have to model themselves after other communities seeking to dominate local control. In Spokane, WA, a town under the oligarchical control of a few families, a nexus of organization have created Envision Spokane. Guided by the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), Envision Spokane has placed an initiative on their November ballot calling for a community bill of rights that could challenge Dillon's Law.

Speaking at the 2009 Bioneers, CELDF spokesperson Breean Beggs said, "The game is up all over the country." It is perhaps time for West Virginia communities to consider building its own coalition throughout the hallows.

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I am a documentary producer based in San Francisco, CA. My current project, "Seriously Green" watches the development of third parties during the course of the 2008 election cycle with an emphasis on the Green Party. You can find out more about (more...)

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