Only Fools Bury Streams!

Protesting Valley Fills at the Huntington District Headquarters for the Army Corps of Engineers

April 1, 2002

Photo Pages  1  2  3  4  5

Mike Forman's Speech

Sixteen weeks ago, many of you were gathered on this very spot with my Laura to demand that the Army Corps Of Engineers bring to an end to the practice of rubber stamping mountaintop removal permits. That day changed my life forever, and I'm sure many of you have since wondered whether the causes that Laura had struggled for have perished with her. I have heard that some of you have noticed a lull of activity, or maybe even a weakening of resolve in our movement. I suspect that the coal industry, and even our own government officials - who are being paid by us to protect the environment, and the citizens affected by this disgraceful practice - have been encouraged by this perceived weakness and are attempting to advance their agenda of power and greed. I must admit that Laura's passing has been a devastating blow to me, to my family, and to our closest friends, who stand beside me now. The year 2001 will be remembered by most people by a single date - September 11th. But for myself, and I suspect some of you, another day, it will be December 10th that will forever haunt my memory. In the words of George Harrison, it truly has "been a long, cold, lonely winter."

Now Spring is in the air I sense the spirit of renewal. As I look back on the tragedies of last year, I know that events of September 11th did not cause Americans to give up the fight for freedom, instead, I am reminded of how sacred liberty is, and how important it is to stand up and exercise my right to free speech. So today I stand before all of you to say I intend to continue our fight with renewed energy and determination. I am here to declare unequivocally that Laura's struggle - our struggle - shall continue undiminished! I assure you that our resolve remains unbroken. I am here to announce that the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, for whom Laura proudly worked these past eight years, has hired Dave Cooper as their new Organizer. Dave is a veteran in our struggle for justice, and I know Dave is ready to pick up the standard, so bravely, and proudly carried by our Laura, and lead us back into the fray.

I now call on each and every one of you to fall in beside us. We must gather our forces, regroup and take up the battle anew. Let Laura's memory serve as inspiration as we rally to the defense of our mountains - which cannot fight for themselves. When you think of Laura, do not despair. Instead, pick up the phone, and call the Corps, or the DEP, or the EPA, or the OSM, or your Congressperson, or Senator Rockefeller, or Senator Byrd, or President Bush, and demand and end to the issuance of permits by rubber stamp, an end to the issuance of permits, without merit, an end to the issuance of permits without proper impact research, an end to the desperate attempt to continue this wanton destruction of lives and mountains, through behind the scenes rule changes, INCLUDING the Corp's despicable attempt to change the legal definition of fill. We vow to fight the weakening of environmental laws and standards. We want mountaintop removal stopped, and short of that, we demand that environmental laws be enforced, and that this abomination be properly regulated. We say to our public officials: "The front line of our battle shall be drawn at your doors, in the courts, and in the coalfields themselves." We demand that public officials stand up to the coal industry, which has bled this state dry for the past 100 years, and do their jobs! We shall continue to demand results from our paid public officials, and when they fail us - justice from our courts. We proclaim that we are prepared to fight to the last man, woman, and child to defend our rights and protect our land. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!"

Thank you