Front Porch Blog

Activists and partners gather for the Hands Across the Appalachia Trail event. Photo by Russell Chisholm
Hands Across the Appalachian Trail was a collaborative effort to celebrate the AT and show solidarity with all fighting and experiencing harm from MVP. The event organizers were Protect our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition (POWHR), Appalachian Voices, Preserve Monroe, Preserve Giles, Summers County Residents Against the Pipeline, Sierra Club Piedmont Group and Sierra Club New River Valley Group.

The event rallied opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Photo by ARTivism, Joshua Vana
Watch the day’s festivities captured by Paula Mann of Mountain Media Productions
Dozens of trail hikers passing through the area joined in on the fun, enjoying refreshments and hearing from the day’s speakers: Kirk Bowers of the Sierra Club Piedmont Group; Nan Gray, a SWVA-based soil scientist; Callie Coffey, a youth climate justice leader; Maury Johnson of Preserve Monroe and Russell Chisholm, co-chair of POWHR, who served as emcee.

Musicians performed bluegrass and old-time music. Photo by ARTivism, Joshua Vana

Walk for Appalachia Future’s hikers arrive in Pearisburg. Photo by Crystal Mello
“The Appalachian Trail truly connects human spirit with nature, if you allow it into your
soul,” Bowers said. “It serves as a church with hallowed, sacred grounds preserving the majesty of nature for all to enjoy. It is a symbol of Appalachian culture that runs deep in my veins.
We must ensure that its natural beauty and cultural heritage will be preserved and
enjoyed for centuries to come.”

Event organizer Kirk Bowers speaks to the crowd. Photo by Appalachian Voices
We remain deeply thankful for everyone who continues to support the communities impacted by this extractive, harmful fossil fuel project. Appalachian Voices remains in solidarity with those impacted by Mountain Valley Pipeline, and we will continue to fight until the project is canceled.

Russell Chisholm speaks at Hands Across the Appalachian Trail 2022. Photo by Appalachian Voices
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Thanks to everyone for your dedication to fighting the unjust pipeline.