http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/3/2010/3695by Tom Over
January 25, 2010
Since Thursday morning, David Aaron Smith, 23, Amber Nitchman, 19 and Eric Blevins, 28, have interrupted strip mining operations in the Bee Tree Area of Coal River Mountain. Smith, after experiencing numbness in his legs, came down from his tree-sit and was arrested several hours ago. As the protest continues with two tree-sitters remaining, activists with Climate Ground Zero and Mountain Justice urge people to phone Massey Energy: V.P. of Finance, Jeff Jerosinki, at 1- 804- 788- 1868; President Baxter Phillips at 1-804-788-1807 ; and the company’s main number 1-804-788-1800.
The security staff for Massey Energy has been using flood lights and air horns in an attempt to force down the tree sitters by depriving them of sleep, according to a statement by Climate Ground Zero. Massey officials have not returned phone calls from the Columbus Free Press.