"Because of the environmental degradation and pollution, Appalachians have and will continue to become leeches on the health care system so long as the devastating unjust practice continues," said Brown.
The two are "definitely supportive of Obama" but, especially this week, they could tell that change is going to come from the ground up. They could sense a need for grassroots organizing and bottom-up thinking.
Both know there are a lot of people and influences on Capitol Hill making it harder for citizens to lobby. The two, like the hundreds of others who lobbied last week, have returned home and are paying close attention to key politicians like Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who many believe recently reversed his stance on mountaintop removal.
Michael Barbine (left) Parson Brown (center), and Kat Wallace (right)
Regardless of doubts, Brown and Wallace encourage others who find mountaintop removal to be a chief injustice to join in lobbying activities in the future. It's not the only way Appalachians (and Americans) will win environmental justice, but it is one way to have a measurable impact that is beneficial in the region.
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