September 27th
The day of action will unify thousands in a vibrant display and mobilization of people power calling for the abolition of mountaintop removal and strip mining in Appalachia. It will employ a range of non-violent tactics from which individuals can choose their level of participation, including legal rallying and opportunities for dignified, peaceful civil disobedience for those who choose.
Over the past five years, nonviolent civil disobedience has helped pressure regulatory agency and bring mountaintop removal in to the national spotlight. Mountain Justice, a regional network of Appalachians and allies, has held sit ins at the West Virginia State Capitol, rallies in front of banks and line crossings and lock downs at mine sites. Climate Ground Zero, operating out of southern West Virginia, has executed over twenty actions against mountaintop removal since February 2009. In January 2010, Climate Ground Zero activists sat in trees on Coal River Mountain for nine days. The bitter cold was eclipsed by their resolve to stop the blasting on this mountain, the last high elevation range in the area to succumb to mountaintop removal.
The Day of Action will adhere to principles of nonviolence, as outlined below:
- We will promote a tone of respect, honesty, transparency, and accountability in our actions.
- We will use no violence (physical or verbal) towards any person.
- We will not destroy or damage property.
- We will not carry anything that can be construed as a weapon, nor possess (or consume) any alcohol or drugs.
- We will all hold each other accountable to respecting these agreements.
If you have questions regarding nonviolent civil disobedience on the Day of Action, or want to get involved, please contact appalachiarising092710@gmail.com.
Day of Action Schedule:
10 AM: Rally begins on Freedom Plaza, at 13th and Pennsylvania NW
11:00 AM: March begins
12:15 PM: Arrive at White House/Lafayette Park
Day of Action March Route:
Start at Freedom Plaza
Go SE on Pennsylvania Ave
Turn right (S) on 12th st.
Stop at Entrance to EPA Headquarters
Delegation delivers statement or
Delegation goes into meeting
Turn Right (W) on Constitution Ave
Turn Right (N) on14th St.
Turn Left (NW) on Pennsylvania Ave
Turn Right (N) on 15th St.
Turn Left into Lafayette Park
Rally & Action at White House Begins
End March
Contact Your Community Mobilizer
- National Field Coordinator:Jessie Dodson at jessiedodson@gmail.com
- Connecticut Contact: Paul Blasenheim at pblasenheim@gmail.com
- D.C. Contact: James Ploesner at james.ploeser@gmail.com AND Kate Finneran at kaitlinfinneran@gmail.com
- Florida Contact: Joe Witt at jwitt8@gmail.com
- Illinois Contact: Parson Brown at parson@toplessamerica.org
- Kentucky Contact: Martin Mudd at martin.mudd@gmail.com
- Maryland Contact: Aaron French at french.aaron@gmail.com
- Massachusetts Contact: Rana Xavier at shoot.rana.x@gmail.com
- Worcester, Mass: Steph Richardson at steff07438@gmail.com
- Michigan Contact: Rachel Long at rachelnicolelong@gmail.com
- Missouri Contact: Tiger Michelson at tigerose@riseup.net
- New York City Contact: Sarah Moon at sarahmoon@gmail.com
- Boone, North Carolina Contact: Maeve Gould at memgould@gmail.com
- Asheville, North Carolina Contact: Matt Wallace at bloodroot@riseup.net
- North Dakota/Montana: Patti Holly at kwgrlup@ndsupernet.com
- Ohio contact: Spruce at mountainmist4@yahoo.com
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Contact: Robin Markle at robinmarkle@gmail.com
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Contact: Angela Wiley at wileya120@gmail.com
- Rhode Island Contact: Becca Rast at becca.rast@gmail.com
- Tennessee Contacts: Ash-Lee at hendersonaw@gmail.com or Audra McCurry at amdancingheart@gmail.com
- Harrisonburg, Virginia Contact: Lara Mack at lcmack4286@gmail.com
- Richmond, Virginia Contact: Jessie Dodson at jessiedodson@gmail.com
- Wise County, Virginia: Jasper Conner at gjasperconner@gmail.com
- Blacksburg, Virginia: Beth Wellington at beth.wellington@gmail.com
- Floyd, Virginia Contact: Tree at sequoiadendronn@riseup.net
- West Virginia Contact: Andrew Munn at anromu@gmail.com
- Beckley, West Virginia Contact: Adam Hall at adamh230@yahoo.com
- Northern West Virginia Contact: Laura Steepleton at lnsteep@gmail.com