Dear all, On June 23, 2004, four women and two men climbed a 700-foot smokestack in Southwestern Pennsylvania - the heart of coal country. Their aim was to bring attention to the dangers of a dirty power plant and to protest President Bush's energy plan. They took this bold action to help keep communities that live in the shadow of dirty power plants safe - and now they need your help. These peaceful protestors are facing felony charges for their actions, which could carry lengthy jail terms. With only six weeks until the trial, we're asking you to support the "Smokestack Six." </SPAN> Here at Greenpeace, we believe strongly in our activists taking responsibility for their actions and bearing fair consequences for our protests. But in our 34-year history, no Greenpeace activist has ever been convicted of a felony resulting from a protest, because felony charges for peaceful acts are unwarranted and go against America's tradition of free speech. Allegheny Energy, the owner of the Hatfield's Ferry plant where the protest took place, apparently would rather see peaceful individuals in jail instead of cleaning up the plant that causes 237 premature deaths in Southwestern Pennsylvania each year. Allegheny seems to be more concerned with fighting activists who are trying to move America toward a clean and sustainable energy future than it is with the pollution from its plant that is causing acid rain, asthma and global warming throughout America and around the globe. Greanpeace Tell Allegheny Energy you Support the Smokestack Six!
