One-hundred pinwheels briefly blanketed the ground outside South Building on Tuesday, as members of the Sierra Student Coalition protested against the use of coal extracted through mountaintop removal.
Titled “Music Saves Mountains,” the event was intended to increase awareness of the controversial process of extracting coal through musical performance and speakers.
After the pinwheels were placed in Polk Place, about 15 members of the group walked into the chancellor’s office and submitted a letter explaining the consequences of mountaintop removal and the potential alternatives.
The pinwheels that were placed outside of the chancellor’s office are now being shipped to Washington D.C., where they will join anti-coal pinwheels sent in across the country for the National Sierra Student Coalition Conference, said Stewart Boss, co-chairman of the coalition and organizer of the event.
He said that the group has found data showing the University has violated its policy regarding the green initiative and is causing major damage to mountains, including those along the Appalachian Mountain Range.
Boss said the University has reneged promises not to use mountaintop removal.
The University signed a new 3-year contract in the summer with a coal company that requires the company to disclose its production processes.
“Students have to realize that their university is not doing what they say they are,” Boss said.
“My goal now is to encourage the people of Appalachia and let people know what’s going on”, he added.
