This blog post is adapted from remarks our Co-Chair and Mountain Valley Watch Coordinator Russell Chisholm made during a Stop MVP virtual rally on April 7, 2022, which was attended by 200 people nationwide. 

We believe we will win.

We have certainly had our struggles along the way and we have probably had doubts along the way as government agencies and so-called leaders have failed us. We have lost people along the way. We have had friends arrested and incarcerated along the way. We have seen our neighbors driven from their homes and farms, and lose their sense of place and peace. All throughout, those friends and neighbors and loved ones have reminded us to keep going and keep showing up for each other.

We believe we will win.

Because we recognize each other across stolen land. We recognize each other downstream from the waters of Appalachia to the Gulf Coast and our coalition grows. From Jordan Cove to St. James Parish. Our coalition grows because the call for climate justice grows louder. The call for climate action grows louder. Our coalition grows because you are here tonight knowing that however many miles of stranded pipe are scattered along the 303 miles of Mountain Valley Pipeline’s path of destruction, those pipes can never be connected and bring about more climate chaos.

We believe we will win.

Because mine workers are demanding investments in jobs training, demanding the benefits they are owed, and demanding full participation in the clean energy economy in the coalfields. Because just yesterday over 1,000 scientists across the globe risked their personal safety and freedom to demand that banks and corporations and legislators stop facilitating our destruction. Some chained themselves to the gates outside the White House to demand action from President Biden. Action he can take right now by declaring a climate emergency and ending the business as usual approach that props up projects like MVP.

We believe we will win.

Because you are here. Keyboard warriors. Petition signers. Organizers. Facilitators. Media wranglers. Attorneys. Artists. Construction monitors. Partner organizations. Legal observers. Tree sitters. Rocking chair resisters. Thank you for rallying with us. Watch for and share those calls to action and answer them. I am often asked what comes next and I love that about this movement. Always looking toward the future we want to create together. There is room for all. If you need a guide or an introduction or a starting point please let me be that person as so many amazing leaders and teachers have been for me.