Local Rockingham County and Harrisonburg community members stand in solidarity with the pipeline fighters across the commonwealth in the anti-pipeline group called Rockingham Alliance for the Protection and Transformation of Our Resources and Society.
The emergence of this organization happened a year ago when a number of members became unified through common-interest meetings and the indigenous movement to stop the Dakota Access pipeline.
The RAPTORS assemble to formulate strategies, educate the public and organize trips to spread awareness about the effects pipelines can have on the land and the community.
“It’s not an easy feat to stop these pipelines,” Lara Mack, RAPTORS member and field organizer for Appalachian Voices, said. “The fact that these folks in Harrisonburg, who don’t even live along the route, have gotten involved and care so much is really moving and really inspiring.”
Appalachian Voices has become a leading force in Appalachia’s switch to clean energy from fossil fuels. The organization advocates for healthy communities and environmental protection throughout the region.
The Mountain Valley pipeline is a 303-mile-long pipeline that’ll begin in Northwestern West Virginia and travel down toward southern Virginia. The Atlantic Coast pipeline will start in West Virginia and traverse 600 miles through the Appalachian Mountains until reaching Virginia, and eventually South Carolina and North Carolina.
The Breeze – Karey Gardner – 11.02.2017
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