HUNTINGTON, W. VA. - On Sunday, October 25, over a hundred youth from
West Virginia, Kentucky and beyond rallied at Marshall University's
Buskirk Field in Huntington to celebrate a sustainable future in
Appalachia before marching on to the Army Corps of Engineers
Huntington District Office to praise the agency's steps to end
nationwide permitting of valley fills for mountaintop removal.
Libby Callicoat, a local green-business entrepreneur, and Matthew
Petty, a Fayetteville Arkansas City Council member and Green for All
Fellow, spoke before the enthusiastic crowd of students. 'The Good
Ol' Boys and a Girl' and guitar soloist Rebekah Jean performed live
bluegrass music between speeches.
The speeches touted the possibilities of a sustainable future in
Appalachia, highlighting "the importance of being the change we seek
by creating and designing new enterprises and using our consumerism as
a tool, " Callicoat said before speaking.
"I'm here because we stand together for justice" said Danny Chiotos,
who helped organize the event. "There's no responsible way to bury a
stream. There's no responsible way to bury a community."
Some attendees were frustrated with being pigeonholed into strict
categories for their stance on mountaintop removal. "I'm sick of
being called an environmentalist," said performer Rebekah Jean. "Sure,
I like nature. But I wouldn't cause such a ruckus if it weren't for
the people"
Mountain Keeper Larry Gibson and former WV Congressman Ken Hechler
gave a speech to the energized crowd in front of the Army Corps of
Engineers Huntington District Office. Ken Hechler told the mass of
youth "you are the cutting-edge of progress" to cheers and applause.
"What we want to see is healthy communities, with healthy streams and
fields and backyards, and sustainable economies," said event organizer
Miranda Brown. "We want secure jobs founded in industries that don'tpoison our kids. This is possible in Appalachia."
***
Contact: Miranda Brown
miranda.brown11@hotmail.ocm
859-321-2722
or
Contact: Joe Gorman
joe.madpj7@gmail.com
703-307-4011
Post new comment