People in Action: Rally to Stop MTR and Save Blair Mountain

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Photos by Vivian Stockman

The Blair Mountain Heritage Alliance organized a rally and march to call upon Morgan Stanley to stop funding mountaintop removal operations like the Adkins Fork permit at the historically recognized site of Blair Mountain. OVEC helped spread the word and boost the turnout.

Without financing from banks like Morgan Stanley, companies such as Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources would not be able to engage in the destructive and harmful practice of mountaintop removal coal mining. Big banks need to be held responsible for financing coal industry practices that result in environmental destruction and human rights abuses.

As part of the action, BMHA organizer and OVEC board member Brandon Nida, Logan County resident Kenny King (who has been leading the work to save Blair Mountain for two decades) and OVEC organizer Dustin White would attempt to deliver anew Rainforest Action Network report on the risks investors take when they finance the coal industry.

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: A reporter with The State Journal interviews Logan County, W. Va., resident Kenny King, who has been working to save Blair Mountain for 20 years.

: OVEC organizer Maria Gunnoe, left speaks during the rally. OVEC organizer Dustin White (green shirt, see photos above), also spoke.

: Coal River Mountain Watch’s Junior Walk takes a turn firing up the crowd.

: UMWA wife and OVEC member Wilma Steele educates on the history of Blair Mountain.

: Dustin, Brandon and Kenny prepare to go into the Morgan Stanely office to deliver the Coal Risk Update

: Whoa. That was quick. In the revolving door, and kicked right back out of the revolving door. Guess Morgan Stanley will have to be contacted by other means.