2nd tree-sitter leaves post, ending W.Va. protests

AP via SFGate ^ | 8/31/9 | VICKI SMITH, Associated Press Writer

[SmithL]

Morgantown, W.Va. (AP) -- A tree-sitting protest designed to halt blasting at a Massey Energy mountaintop removal mine in southern West Virginia ended Monday when the activists descended from the trees and were arrested.

State Police confirmed that Laura Steepleton and Nick Stocks were taken into custody after spending six days in a poplar at the Edwight mine in Raleigh County.

Stocks, 25, was charged with trespassing, obstructing and littering, and State Police Sgt. M.A. Smith warned of other possible charges. Steepleton, 24, was expected to face the same charges. Both were to be arraigned later Monday.

The protesters are affiliated with Climate Ground Zero, an environmental group based in Rock Creek. Stocks recently moved to the coalfields from Idaho, while Steepleton moved several months ago from central Florida.

Climate Ground Zero spokesman Charles Suggs had said sleep deprivation was endangering the pair, who endured flashing lights, air horns, loud noises and, over the weekend, the brandishing of a chain saw. The protesters claimed Massey employees were behind the harassment.

Steepleton had been communicating with her organization and others via text message, but her cell phone batteries were dead by Monday morning.

[SmithL]

Climate Ground Zero spokesman Charles Suggs had said sleep deprivation was endangering the pair, who endured flashing lights, air horns, loud noises and, over the weekend, the brandishing of a chain saw. The protesters claimed Massey employees were behind the harassment.

Berkeley should have hired these people when they wanted to harvest the fruits & nuts from their own grove.