Award-winning West Virginian Activist Sacrificed By Own Senator
Greenville, WV – A hundred thousand people have watched Maury Johnson talk about the land he calls home. Award-winning activist, organic farmer, and lifetime West Virginian declared to the nation last year that “[he is] what a sacrifice zone looks like”, after President Biden backed West Virginia Senator Manchin’s effort to force Congress to fast-track the beleaguered MVP.
Today, Senator Manchin touted himself multiple times for fast-tracking the failing project and serving his constituents. However, West Virginians like Maury Johnson shed light on the impact of his prioritization of his bottomline over real people:
“Everyday I walk up and down the route and for months I ran around Washington, D.C. trying to make sure this pipeline doesn’t kill me. Now I’ve got foot pain so bad I can barely walk,” said Maury Johnson, award-winning environmental justice activist. “This whole mess is Senator Joe Manchin’s fault. My own senator sacrificed me and my neighbors, and he ran away with the money.”
Soon after forcing Congress to fast-track the MVP, Senator Manchin announced he will not be running for reelection. Senator Manchin has received more fossil fuel money than any other member of congress and he owns one of the dirtiest coal plants in West Virginia.
Maury Johnson continues to file reports of MVP’s environmental violations to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. His reports have not been answered with immediate action to protect his land and water.
“Now I’ve got my family to take care of, so I have to have hope. This fight isn’t over. My aunt and uncle are trying to stay alive and they can’t drink their own water because of this pipeline. I’m going to make sure this project is canceled so that my elders, kids, grandkids, and future West Virginians can fulfill our dreams of a fossil-free future,” said Maury Johnson.
The Biden administration has committed to reducing methane emissions following COP28. If put into service, the MVP, backed by Congressional leadership, would be a methane-emitting climate nightmare.
This folder contains images of MVP’s destruction to Maury’s organic farm and nearby sites.
###