WV Governor Joe Manchin was given schoolkids letters in a surprise delivery by activists from Rainforest Action Network and Coal River Mountain Watch at the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce Groundhog Day breakfast.

The governor had tried to pawn the activists off to a lackeys lackey the day before, but the activists tracked Manchin down and delivered the letters.

This morning RAN and CRMW activists bought tickets to the breakfast and listened to several talks on West Virginias economic outlook (including Manchins). After giving his forecast on the states economic future, Gov. Manchin began glad-handing the crowd.

As he walked off the stage, three activists intercepted him bearing the handwritten letters and colored pictures. They also carried a banner that said "Dear Gov. Manchin, Please Rebuild Marsh Fork - In Their Community. Love, 400 kids"

Faced with an embarrassing moment in front of 250 members of the South Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Manchin tried to move the situation outside the room, but activists smoothly took command of the situation. Coal River Valley resident and Coal River Mountain Watch activist Hillary Hosta told the crowd about the letters and Marsh Fork Elementary as Gov. Manchin stood listening quietly. He took the letters and thanked the activists. Half the room applauded and the activists got several thumbs up.

More than 400 schoolchildren from Virginia to Australia wrote to Manchin sympathizing with the plight of Marsh Forks students. Marsh Fork Elementary sits next to a coal processing facility, and an earthen dam permitted to hold 2.8 billion gallons of toxic coal waste sludge is 400 yards upstream.

Independent studies have confirmed that coal dust permeates the school and is inhaled by children. In addition, a 2006 EPA investigation revealed asbestos in the schools walls and dangerous anhydrous ammonia tanks 600 feet away. Gov. Manchin has ignored repeated requests to rebuild the school away from the contamination.

One student in Connecticut wrote: "I bet you if that was your school, you would want them to stop it immediately." Others wrote about how extractive industries fuel global warming and devastate local communities. "Do you want to be responsible for the damage of the childrens lungs?" asked an Australian student, who added, "Do you want the climate to rise?"

Todays letter delivery is part of a week of action against global warming organized by Energy Actions Campus Climate Challenge with student groups from across the U.S. and Canada.

The students recognize the intersection of global warming and the harmful impact that fossil fuel extraction has on local communities. If we are lucky, Joe Manchin will read the letters.

Reach Coal River Mountain Watch at P.O. Box 651, Whitesville, WV 25209. Phone: (304) 854-2182. E-mail: crmw@charter.net.