Defenders in Appalachia Against Mountain Valley Pipeline Avoided Felony Charges
"Initially we were charged with conspiracy. The real conspiracy is between the prosecutors and the judges, between the cops and the corporations."
By Appalachians Against Pipelines, Censored News, March 3, 2025
Last Tuesday, 12 pipeline fighters had court in Giles County for charges resulting from three different actions (pictured) against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in 2023 and 2024 in and around the Jefferson National Forest, including one site where MVP was drilling through the mountain under the Appalachian Trail.
Last Tuesday, 12 pipeline fighters had court in Giles County for charges resulting from three different actions (pictured) against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in 2023 and 2024 in and around the Jefferson National Forest, including one site where MVP was drilling through the mountain under the Appalachian Trail.
Eleven of the defendants accepted non-cooperating plea deals -- all of them were facing absurd felony charges, including felony abduction and felony “unauthorized use of a vehicle.” In the end, they plead to misdemeanor charges and there were NO felony convictions. They were sentenced to community service, probation, and to pay restitution. The court room was PACKED all day long with supporters!