Group Says 14 Activists Arrested At W.Va. Mine

TIM HUBER

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Authorities arrested 14 people Thursday after anti-mining activists staged a protest that briefly halted production at one of southern West Virginia's largest coal mines.

All were involved in a protest at Massey Energy Co.'s Twilight surface mine. Four of the activists scaled the 300-foot boom of a piece of earthmoving equipment at the Boone County mine and unfurled a sign protesting mountaintop removal mining, a practice that involves blasting away ridgetops to expose coal seams.

Protester Charles Suggs IV said he and three other climbers spent at least 4 hours about 200 feet in the air before climbing down to be arrested with a 10-member ground team.

"It's pretty crazy up there. It's worth it and it's worth the risk," said Suggs, calling on his cell phone. He said he was in a holding cell at the Boone County courthouse.

Boone County Deputy Sheriff Justin Dalton said all 14 face felony conspiracy charges and a mix of misdemeanors. Suggs and the three other climbers also are charged with trespassing, fleeing on foot, littering and battery, Dalton said. Ten others are charged with trespassing. The group were expected to make their initial court appearance Thursday afternoon.