MOBILIZATION FOR CLEAN AIR

You are invited to join concerned citizens in expressing their commitment to a clean, safe environment and community in a celebration for clean air and rally to raise awareness about the impacts of the life cycle of coal. This is a call for you to take a Sunday out of your life to show your dedication to protecting environment and communities of Appalachia.

WHAT
The Mobilization for Clean Air rally is a family friendly gathering of citizens concerned about the Tennessee Valley Authority’s involvement in the life cycle of coal. The event will start with a prayer led by Christians for the Mountains and will feature poetry, multiple live musical performances, larger than life size puppets of peace leaders including MLK & Gandhi, as well as fiery speeches given by coal impacted citizens and special guest speaker, world renowned environmental author, Dr. John Nolt. Following the rally there will be a lively march downtown before re-gathering in front of the TVA towers where individuals who feel compelled will have the opportunity to engage in the American tradition of non-violent civil-disobedience. Food Not Bombs will be serving free lunch after the event.

WHEN
Mobilization for Clean Air rally - Sunday, July 26, 2009, 12:00 – 2:30p.m.

WHERE
Concerned citizens will gather at Market Square in Knoxville in front of the TVA towers.

Why
Citizens will gather to raise awareness about the Tennessee Valley Authority’s deep connection to the life cycle of coal. TVA is the largest purchaser of mountain top removal mined coal in the country; they own 18 coal burning power plant and their service areas have some of the poorest air quality in the United States. TVA is responsible for the December 2008, coal waste disaster in Roane County, TN and they are in the process of relocating the dredged coal waste to several locations across Appalachia. TVA operates numerous other coal waste facilities over their seven state service area including four that are ranked “high” hazard, meaning a pond rupture at one of these sites would likely result in loss of human life.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
1. Bring an instrument—and learn how to play
“Rocky Top”

2. Dress up! Yep—we want you to come in your
Sunday best. During the civil rights movement people
wore suits and ties all the time—so can we.

4. Respect. Show respect for all the people you encounter during the event. There will be animal rights activist and hunters, Christians
and Atheist, Peace Activist and Military Veterans at this event. Show respect for Appalachian by showing respect for the diversity of people that come to
defend it.

5. Bring signs showing support for Tennessee’s air, watersheds, and heritage. We need art, banners, musicians and you. Especially
you.

6. Help by playing a support role for the event. We are looking for mature, intelligent individuals to sever as a support team. We need people to serve in the following roles photographers, videographers, street theater, artists and musicians, and care team. Please contact us at tanyabturner@gmail.com or 865 689-8976 if you want to volunteer.

Commitment to Nonviolence
The organizations sponsoring this event are committed to nonviolence. Please come with the understanding that this event has a specific focus with specific goals. By participating
you are agreeing to remain peaceful.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
umdvolunteerhouse@yahoo.com – question, housing, volunteer opportunities, rsvp

Phone: (865) 689-2778

Website: unitedmountaindefense.org.

Dear folks,

Here is the first round of independent air monitoring data from United Mountain Defense. Even though each of these air filters had visible dust on it after the 24 hour sample it appears that for most of the samples the levels of metals were at non detection levels. The individual detection levels are listed in the center row for each metal on the following link. Measurements are in micrograms.

The latest data::
(link...) first round of 24 hour air monitoring samples

There was one detection of .05 micrograms of lead in an air sample taken on the back side of Swan Pond Circle more than a mile downwind from the disaster. Our Mini Volume air monitor produced by Air Metrics draws 5 liters per minute of air through a PM 2.5 micron Whatman pure teflon filter. We are consulting with the Global Community Monitor about these results and deciding what our next round of monitoring will look like.

The next training session about how to use the air monitor will occur at Roane County Park on April 18 from 5PM- 7PM in Shelter Number 1. There will be a hotdog dinner for those participating in the training. Also in the future look for a training by the Global Community Monitor about how to interpret this data.

The differences in the following two sets of data are that the air monitors only ran for 24 hour periods from March 5 thru March 24, while the swipe samples were glass collection trays that sat outside for 2-3 weeks during late Feb into early March.

The latest data::
(link...) first round of 24 hour air monitoring samples

Older swipe sampling data::
(link...) older swipe sample data

Alright have a good day.
till then, matt landon full time volunteer staff for United Mountain Defense and dedicated Roane County volunteer

Check out TVA's disaster dust storm video::: (link...)

check out UMD's website at (link...)
UMD's blog at (link...)

We have year round internships!!