OVEC Action Alert - October 30, 2002

Picketing Bush - Update

Since so many of you asked for an update on tomorrow evening's picketing of Bush during his visit to the Charleston Civic Center, we decided to send it to the whole list. If you want to know reasons why OVEC is protesting, please check some of the links below.

LEGAL OBSERVERS WANTED We need people to volunteer to be legal observers. Bring your video camera, wear an arm band that says "legal observer." If you are going to be a legal observer, don't bring signs, don't do anything else but videotape. Meet at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Building in Charleston at 4:30 p.m.

PICKET UPDATE President Bush is coming to the Charleston Civic on Halloween, October 31, to speak at a "Welcome Rally." He's supposed to speak at 7:15 p.m. The Rally begins at 6, but people and traffic will be all about starting at at least 5.

Several different groups have plans to meet at 4:30 p.m. at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, at 300 Virginia Street, East (two blocks from the Charleston Civic Center).  (see meeting time updates below)

There we will hear the latest from Charleston attorney and civil rights watchdog Jason Huber on where the "authorities" say we are "permitted" to assemble. Right now the Charleston Police say we can assemble, peaceably, of course, on public sidewalks around the Civic Center. The Secret Police may say something different.

The group will walk to the Civic Center at 5:00 p.m.

If you can't be at the Federal Building by the time the group leaves, please look for picketing people near the Civic Center. Or look for Jason Huber or Rev. Jim Lewis to find out safe places to stand. If you can't find anyone, take a gander over at Lee and Clendenin Streets to see if we have been herded off there. Please don't stand alone. Alert everyone you can. Carpool and van people in. Bring children. Get the older folks out.

WHY PROTEST 

Here's one reason we are protesting Bush (again)-- he has strong ties to the coal industry, and is offering paybacks to mountaintop removal operators in terms of gutting the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, as well as putting mining lobbyists in key regulatory positions.

Click here to see Bush and Rumsfeld in WV with WV Coal Association President Bill Raney (also a Colonel in the National Guard) and Gov. Wise.

Click here to learn a little about the Coal industry money flowing into the Whitehouse.

Click here to learn about Griles and National Mining Association lobbyists 2nd in command at Dept. of Interior.

CAPITO AND COAL According to the Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets.org), Rep. Capito has received nearly $50,000 in contributions from the mining industry this election cycle. She also received nearly $33,000 from electric utilities.

Capito is the TOP RECIPIENT among all House members in contributions from coal: $36,250. Next closest is Hal Rogers in Kentucky with about $21,000:  Click here for more info.   Capito is also top recipient from all sectors of mining: click here for details.

PICKET TIME CHANGE#: Apologies--there has been a time change. WV Patriots for Peace has set their meeting time for 5:30 p.m. this evening (Oct. 31) at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, at 300 Virginia Street, East (two blocks from the Charleston Civic Center). The walk to the picket Bush's speech Civic Center begins at 6. Power in numbers--let's meet them there at 5:30.

PICKET TIME CHANGE#2:  After the 4:30 meeting time was settled upon yesterday, some glitches arose and the time was shifted to 5:30. Now there are now TWO options.

Please if you can-- Meet at 4:30 DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE CIVIC CENTER, at the main ticket entrance.

PLEASE-at all times, do not block egress or ingress. Obey all laws. Be vigilant for any problems and report them at once to Jason Huber, Rev. Jim Lewis or OVEC staff. We are not going to be herded off to a "free speech zone" mainly because we have an excellent track record of being peaceful!

PREVIOUS OPTION STILL STANDS Meet 5:30 p.m. this evening (Oct. 31) at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Building, at 300 Virginia Street, East (two blocks from the Charleston Civic Center).

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