Bannerhang and Blockade

As the sun began to immerge, earth first! affinity groups were busy simultaneously unfurling banners and blockading the entrance to the (Zeb Mountain) mountain top removal mine in Scott and Campbell county. Both the three men locking down and the two women dropping the banner were prepared to sacrifice their freedom if need be to make a stand for the mountain.

The Rocky Top Trio affinity group was busy at the entrance to the Zeb Mountain mine. Driving up in the dark, the group piled out of vehicles and quickly began unloading gear. Two pre-made barrels were rolled into place and rocks and cement were poured into them while a banner saying "No Mountain Top Removal" was hoisted above.

At 5:15 am miners began to show up for work and the trio and support crew got into position. The trio locked into the barrels and to each other, forming a blockade facing oncoming traffic to the mine.

The police and coal miner liaison began a conversation with the first miner to approach the blockade and had a good conversation about mining practices.

Coal companies want to mine thin layers of coal by blasting off the tops of mountains. One of the miners revealed that 30'-40' holes in the mountain top will be drilled through rock until coal is reached. "You can tell when coal is reached because the drill just kind of sounds different and sort of rattles" he said. Explosives are then inserted into the holes and set up so that they go off with 15 second intervals between each blast. He recalled an underground miner coming to his site and being scared to death. "You constantly have to be on the alert for falling rock" he reminisced.

Robert Clear the owner of Robert Clear Coal Corporation, was called in by one of the miners.

Robert Clear is calling the mining of Zeb Mountain "contour mining" and stated that it is not mountaintop removal and that what they are doing actually helps the mountain. Another miner with him stated that "the Appalachian mountains are pretty steep and flat places to build on are hard to find. We are required to re-contour the mountain back to its original shape. We open up areas, why you could build a Wal-mart in some spots."

Upon realizing that we were not in fact going to move, the police were called in. Robert Clear became increasingly upset as the clock ticked on. He pays $7000 per hour for the lease of the equipment, plus the cost per hour for the miners themselves. Attempts to drive around the blockade were futile. The night watchman on duty grimly watched from the other side of the blockade (he was caught unaware and was blocked in). It took a little over three and a half hours to move the blockade (the cement had not fully hardened).

The local police were very courteous to us and explained that they had gotten "a lot of flack about this mine from the locals".

The second affinity group, the Banner Busters, began the daunting 150' climb of a large billboard off I-75 and carrying all their gear (including two heavy banners which said "Stop Mountian Top Removal"). Ground support was crucial in assisting with hoisting the banners part of the way of the pole using a pulley system.

The women were in excelling shape and had thoroughly prepared for what they would face. The banner drop went off without a hitch. One of the climbers, Meagan Carter stated that the view from the top was breathtaking. The fog covered the valley and only the mountain tops were left poking out.

Both Carter and Debbie Shumate spoke of the reverence they felt at that moment for the majesty of the surrounding mountains. "It made what we were doing so clear, we were making a statement of our alliance with the mountains themselves. I love camping and hiking in these mountains, they don't belong to some corporation with a temporary permit, but to all of Tennessee." Shumate stated.

"This mountain has stood for eons, and now some greedy corporation wants to grind it to rubble for a temporary profit. For 40 jobs we all are being forced to sacrifice our heritage. Zeb Mountain is just the first though. Permits are already lined up for mountain top removal all along the Cumberland Plateau! People come from all over the country as tourists, to view, hike, camp or fish within these mountains. Lots of private businesses make their living from these visitors. This is a clear case of short term gain for a minority and long term loss for the majority" said Carter. "I want to make sure there are mountains left for my daughter to enjoy."

The climbers stayed with the banner for hours and then descended, leaving their message for all of the passing traffic to read. "Most people don't know that this is even happening, we are here to make sure that they do" said Shumate.

The trio consisting of john johnson, Dan Anderson & Mathew Hamilton were released from jail the same day paying $190 court cost and no fine each. The entire action cost $1,000

Katuah Earth First! is in need of contribution to pay for brochures, stamps, gas and action supplies. All members are committed volunteers and 100% of the donations go to campaign costs.

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