Tree-sitters continue to stall construction in elaborate pipeline blockade
In the hills of Appalachia, two humans in the sky persist, constituting a formidable blockade against the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). For 92 days, the aerial resistance squadron has prevented destruction, and the flames of pipeline resistance are spreading.
Last week, “Nutty” came down from her monopod in Jefferson National Forest after 56 days. She was blocked from receiving supplies for at least the last six weeks by the Forest Service. Her action helped encourage a fire of resistance, inspiring other folks to take action and even take to the trees.
“When I started, I couldn’t have imagined this. People who aren’t sure what to do should reach out, because trying to do stuff alone is hard. Direct action is really important. Appeals to authority won’t get what we need. Hopefully, more will happen to make this pipeline impossible,” Nutty said.
Luckily for Nutty, another member of the tree squad took to the skies nearby on May 21, two days before Nutty descended. A sitter named fern MacDougal is continuing the blockade of an access road that MVP wishes to use for transporting drilling and extraction equipment up Peters Mountain. For one week she has been perched in a “skypod”, which consists of a 30 foot-high platform held aloft by complex rigging of ropes to nearby trees.
“This pipeline will shift hydrology, and areas where it is routed through limestone will be unstable. In karst areas, there can be collapses of bedrock formations that could make pipeline damage more likely; contamination of groundwater becomes more likely due to these factors as well. Also, due to the many threats from runaway climate change, we need to vehemently oppose all fossil fuel infrastructure at this point,” fern said.
At the top of the Appalachian Ridge, “Deckard” continues the original tree-sit into its 92nd day. From fern up to Deckard, an entire area has been reclaimed by environmentalists and renamed: The Hellbender Autonomous Zone. Although he has been blocked from resupply, Deckard said on day 84, “I’ve got plenty of food and water. Mentally, I am fine and I can’t complain.”
This resistance has already significantly delayed the MVP, and costs are piling up for the corporation. When asked what this action could accomplish, Deckard told us that the tree-sitters hope to inspire more unified direct action, as other avenues of resistance have been somewhat exhausted.
“Many people have become completely disillusioned with the system and have no faith in their elected officials. You have to resist in diverse ways, and it is going to take a multi-pronged effort. When we unite, it puts maximum pressure on the regime,” continued Deckard.
One interesting aspect of this resistance is that the activists have been predominantly women. Deckard was asked about female influence on the front lines of this fight.
“I am happy to take leadership and direction from marginalized groups, including women. These struggles should be led by marginalized communities. I am humbled by the amazing women leading this movement,” said Deckard.
Early Monday morning, “ink” descended 75 feet from their sit at Little Teel Crossing in Franklin County, Virginia after 38 days. Last week, an MVP worker climbed into a tree ink was clipped into with a chainsaw and began cutting branches, injuring the sitter.
“They know the June first tree-cutting deadline is coming up and they are worried. They are getting desperate, so they are trying to intimidate me,” ink said after the incident.
“We cannot maintain the delusion of: ‘If I call the right politician’, or post the right words on a status, will get what we need. We need direct confrontation with those who would destroy this world,” ink added.
Although ink came down on Monday, workers could not immediately dismantle the sit, as a new anonymous tree-sitter had arrived in the night through the air. The new tree sitter, “Sprout,” was tethered to multiple trees in the pipeline path that MVP could not then cut.
On Memorial Day, Judge Elizabeth Dillon quickly signed a warrant ordering Sprout to come down, and Sprout descended as well. Judge Dillon has repeatedly ruled in favor of MVP in related cases.
One thing that all blockaders have stressed is that each action is part of a larger resistance. What resembles a call to action has been repeated by each tree-sitter.
“To anyone who is reading this: Try to find the courage to resist, to come out of your comfort zone. Put one foot in front of the other,” Deckard said.
Those wishing to help can contact the Appalachians Against Pipelines facebook page.
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