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February 2, 2010

Coal Giant Wins Court Injunction Against Nonviolent Protesters
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In West Virginia, the mining giant Massey Energy has won a court order
barring nonviolent protests at its mountaintop removal sites. A federal
judge granted Massey’s request for a temporary restraining order against
five activists who took part in an eight-day tree-sitting action that
blocked mining operations on Coal River Mountain. The action ended on
Friday. Massey is also seeking $75,000 in damages. The ruling blocks
further protests from “trespassing or otherwise congregating” in mining
areas as well as “interfering, obstructing, blocking, impeding or
tampering with” mining operations.