Today, there are treesitters at the Edwight Mining Site in the Coal River Valley, WV. Between august 14 and 19, there were a series of non-violent protests around the country at the national and regional headquarters. Protests went on at the main headquarters in Washington DC, the WV Department of Environmental Protection in Charleston, and regional EPA headquarters in Boston, Dallas, Kansas City, Philly, New York, San Francisco and Atlanta.

SEAC and United Mountain Defense promoted these protests. These protests were planned and ran by people of all ages. What sparked the protest in DC was the EPA's reluctance in listening to everyday citizens who want to see the old mountains of West Virginia stay put. We are everyday citizens who do not want to see the bombing of mountains or drink the polluted water.

Two young college students interning for SEAC, Calvin Smith of WVU and myself, Billy Astrove at West Va Wesleyan, were some of the minds in wanting to set up a protest to tell the EPA no new permits. On August 14 at the EPA Headquarters, between 39 and 50 people showed up to join us in saying stop bombing. We just want the EPA to do its job and stop blasting.

The general mood of the protest was open mike. You wanted to say something, you were more than welcome to take the the megaphone. My time during the megaphone was loud and nasty. "Pollution sucks. Yes, you can regulate pollution. But you sure as hell can't regulate an abomination, EPA. DO YOUR JOB!" There was another protest at the EPA in late June,which turned out 23 to 25 people. At times we had double that number.

I enjoyed the first protest I planned. I learned that if you get me into a situation where I'm angry, I can talk. For all I care, start giving me public speaking opportunities. You want me to expose? I'll expose, and I wont shut up until I think someone else should have a turn to vent. The protest at the EPA was a chance for every day citizens to tell the government they are not one bit happy. It was a great experience to be able to stand in front of a crowd with a megaphone welcoming people. I hope at the next protest, a college student like myself who has never organized is given the opportunity to welcome everyone standing before the EPA

Sorry EPA. You can't hide. We know you are allowing companies to pollute our streams in the name of a mighty dollar. EPA we won't shut up. Thanks for listening to us the first time. We'll be back in September, even stronger like always. We are on day 6 of the Edwight tree sit. We are not backing down!

Thanks to those who came to DC to protest. We hope to see you out there again. If anyone at the EPA was listening to us, we will thank you once this disgusting practice is ended

Billy