Demonstrators Arrested During Protest Against West Virginia Senator's Coal Investments
Demonstrators gathered outside power plants in Grant Town, West Virginia, on Saturday, April 9, for a two-day protest against Sen Joe Manchin’s coal investments.
The protest, dubbed the ‘Coal Baron Blockade’, was organized by West Virginia Rising, a coalition of activists, to “help elevate climate change to the center of the domestic agenda,” according to their website.
Local sheriff arrested 16 protesters for trespassing on private property on Sunday.
Footage filmed by Brendan Gutenschwager on Saturday shows protesters chanting “Machin, he sold us out” and holding a banner reading “Manchin: stop burning WV’s future for profit” outside the Grant Town Power Plant. Police are later seen making arrests.
Video filmed by Gutenschwager on Sunday shows Rev William J Barber II leading a Palm Sunday service outside the American Bituminous Power Plant before it concluded near the Grant Town Power Plant, Gutenschwager wrote. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful
Video Transcript
- Oh, ain't no power like the power of the people 'cause the power of the people don't stop. Ain't no power like the power of the people 'cause the power of the people don't stop.
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
[SHOUTING]
[INTERPOSING VOICES]
- Go and back up. Get out of the road. Back up.
- Back up.
- Back up.
- Back up. Off the road. Keep going.
- [INAUDIBLE].
- [INAUDIBLE SINGING]
Just a little while longer I know justice coming soon.
Why don't you stand on just a little--
Oh, just a little while longer. March on just a little while longer.
- (SINGING) I know--
- (SINGING) I know justice is coming soon.
- Last time. Everybody.
- (SINGING) Fight on just a little while longer. Fight on just a little while longer. Fight on just a little while longer. I know justice is coming soon.
- (SINGING) I know--
- Love you guys. Forward together.
- [INAUDIBLE].
