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AnaiRhoads.org, Climate Ground Zero and other Target Massey Energy Company
by
Chris Ford | 04.13.2010
AnaiRhoads.org is also challenging Massey's appalling safety record, as well as Blankenship's leadership. Over the last year and a half, the company racked up 600 safety violations at its Big Branch Mine alone, the site of the tragic explosion.  AnaiRhoads.org challenges Massey CEO Don Blankenship in open letter; announces new board of directors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 12 April 2010 Media Contact: Washington, D.C. – AnaiRhoads.org, a social justice media organization founded in 1996, today launched a campaign targeting Massey Energy Company and its Chairman and CEO, Don Blankenship. The campaign is in response to Massey's extensive history of violating federal safety and environmental regulations, and falls on the heels of last week's tragedy at its Big Branch Mine that killed 29 miners. AnaiRhoads.org is paying special attention to Massey's mountain top removal coal mining operations, which are wreaking catastrophic and permanent environmental damage to the Appalachian Mountain region, and threaten the safety of its employees, local communities and wildlife. The organization's Executive Director sent an open letter to Mr. Blankenship informing him that AnaiRhoads.org will be keeping tabs on his company and reporting to the public about its actions. "Mountaintop removal coal mining is among the most destructive practices ever undertaken. Anyone who has seen a mountaintop removal coal operation can attest to this fact," said Anai Rhoads, Executive Director of AnaiRhoads.org in the letter. "Your company is responsible for destroying hundreds of miles of streams, valleys and mountains, tearing down forests and killing the abundant wildlife that made these places their home. This damage cannot be reversed, and is forever changing the face of the Appalachian Mountains." In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency fined Massey $20 million, the largest fine the agency has ever levied, for the company's repeated violations of the Clean Water Act. AnaiRhoads.org is also challenging Massey's appalling safety record, as well as Blankenship's leadership. Over the last year and a half, the company racked up 600 safety violations at its Big Branch Mine alone, the site of the tragic explosion. "The mine should be inspected and the cause of the blast discovered. If it is found to be the fault of Massey Energy or its subsidiary, Don Blankenship should be arrested and jailed for the deaths of 29 men," said James McGuinness, AnaiRhoads.org board member, who is also a leader of the West Virginia-based Climate Ground Zero. "He should not be allowed to escape with a slap on the wrist and a small fine." "To be blunt, Mr. Blankenship, you are a pariah. Time and time again you have sacrificed the safety of your workers and local communities, and the health of our planet, simply to pad your profit margins," added Rhoads. "Now 29 of your employees are dead - and the blame falls solely on you. "Lies, bribes and 'celebrity'-studded events cannot hide the truth about coal mining and the havoc you wreak. The facts will come out - our organization will make sure of it. This letter serves as notice." Today, AnaiRhoads.org also unveiled its new board of directors, a distinguished group that includes high-profile activists and writers. Board members include: Mike Roselle is the co-founder of the Ruckus Society, Earth First! and the Rainforest Action Network. Mike was a Director for Greenpeace USA and is the founder of Climate Ground Zero, an ongoing campaign of non-violent civil disobedience in southern West Virginia to end mountaintop removal. James McGuinness is the co-founder of Seeds of Peace and the Shundahai Network. He also worked with American Peace to stop nuclear testing in Nevada, and the Save Ward Valley coalition. James was the director of the Homeless Advocacy Project in Las Vegas and currently works with Climate Ground Zero. Keith McHenry is the co-founder of international Food-Not-Bombs movement, which has provided vegan meals to homeless people across the globe for over 30 years. Keith is also a world-renowned peace and anti-nuclear activist. James Jordan is the national co-coordinator for the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ). James focuses on building international labor solidarity, and on trade issues, especially regarding their effects on family farmers and farm workers in Colombia, Mexico, Haiti, the United States and elsewhere. Jordan Flaherty is a journalist and editor of Left Turn Magazine. He is also a staffer with the Louisiana Justice Institute. Jordan was the first writer to bring the story of the Jena Six to a national audience. John Atkeison is the former director of Climate and Clean Energy programs at the Alliance for Affordable Energy. John has worked professionally as a congressional campaign manager, publicist and lobbyist in the energy policy arena. "We are honored to have such a renowned group joining us as AnaiRhoads.org begins a new and exciting chapter," said Rhoads. "Our growing audience expects real news and informed discussion on a wide-range of progressive issues. This board will ensure that happens." A copy of the letter to Mr. Blankenship may be viewed here. |
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