Man holding sign that says Picnics not Pipelines

Peaceful anti-pipeline protesters face criminal charges under new West Virginia law

West Virginia activists protesting the Mountain Valley pipeline are being hit with serious criminal and civil charges under a new law that increases penalties for those opposing fossil fuel infrastructure projects.

Nina Lakhani and Hilary Beaumont report for The Guardian.

In short:

Climate activists protesting the Mountain Valley pipeline face charges under a West Virginia law that punishes protests against critical infrastructure with harsh penalties.
More than 50 activists have been arrested, and many face both jail time and lawsuits from pipeline companies seeking damages.
The fossil fuel industry is backing these laws to suppress protests as the environmental movement grows.

Key quote:

“Legal intimidation is a tactic that’s designed to scare folks and incapacitate the movement.”

— Pipeline resistance organizer

Why this matters:

As governments fail to address the climate crisis, anti-protest laws target activists who challenge fossil fuel projects, limiting free speech and public dissent. This suppression risks hindering necessary action on environmental threats.

www.theguardian.com

Credit: Christine Veeschkens/Flickr

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