Residents from four states severely impacted by mountaintop removal coal mining began sit-ins today (May 6, 2012) in protest of their Congressional Representatives' refusal to protect their communities from the extreme impacts of mountaintop removal.  Constituents occupied the offices of Congressmen Nick Rahall (D-WVA), Hal Rogers (R-KY), Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Jimmy Duncan (R-TN).

In addition a number of organizations including CWN member Appalachian Voices, Appalachian Rising and I Love Mountains, organized a protest rally near the Senate Office Buildings and Capitol. The Rally included music, speeches and the shaving of hair in protest of the lack of Federal action. For more information on MTR issues and to get more involved please contact Dana@appalachiaRising.org or Sandra Diaz at sandra@APPVOICES.ORG

Another picture from the protest on Capitol Hill can be found HERE.