Above photo: From Appalachians Against Pipelines.
Beginning on January 29, people across Turtle Island rose up to oppose and fight back against the Mountain Valley Pipeline and its funders, investors, contractors, and collaborators. Folks around the country took autonomous action, organized in their communities, and showed solidarity with pipeline resistance, as well as with comrades facing state repression in Atlanta, and with the people of Palestine. <
In the days that followed, organizers stood in solidarity with MVP resistance from hundreds of miles away, rallying outside of the offices of EQT and PNC bank in Pittsburgh, outside of Washington Gas (WGL) in D.C., and outside of Bank of America in Charlotte, and Wells Fargo in San Francisco, Blacksburg, Richmond, and other locations. In New York City, youth rallied outside Con Edison. In Chicago, a Bank of America location was blockaded and wheat pasted. Banners were hung in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Minnesota, and beyond, with messages such as “NO PIPELINE ON THE AT,” “STOP THE MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE,” and “DOOM TO THE PIPELINE.” Groups including Third Act, Sunrise Coalition, People over Petro, Oil and Gas Network, Party for Socialism and Liberation – West Virginia, and so many more, came together to resist the destruction of Appalachia.
While comrades across the country were showing their solidarity, pipeline fighters in Appalachia were showing up for the resistance as well. On Monday, land defender Madeline locked herself to an MVP drill attempting to bore underneath the Appalachian Trail. She was held for multiple days without bail in a continuation of the state repression currently being faced by Appalachian communities and their allies.
On Thursday, Mama Julz, an Indigenous Oglala Lakota land defender, locked herself to the base of an MVP helicopter being used to transport workers to a remote construction site on Poor Mountain. Mama Julz and a supporter are currently being held without bail on a single misdemeanor charge each.
The actions of the past few days are a testament to the strength and resilience of both Appalachian communities and their allies across Turtle Island. Even in the face of ecological violence and brutal state repression, pipeline fighters are unwavering in their commitment to the land and to each other. Though the people in power want us to believe that we are powerless to stop monstrosities like the MVP, we have seen that this is a lie. We will continue to block every path and fight together, even when we are apart.
We know that we are together in continuing solidarity against all oppression, and that no matter what, we won’t back down.
Target highlights from the days of solidarity:
* EQT = Equitrans Midstream LLC, a subsidiary of EQT, has 45.5% Ownership of the project.
* Washington Gas/WGL Midstream = one of the five project partners behind the MVP. They have 10% ownership over the project.
* Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC = top banks financing the pipeline.
* Con Edison = one of the five project partners behind the MVP.