Climate change is upon us and we need to do what we can to ‘build the best and block the bad.’ Fossil fuel infrastructure projects like the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines threaten people’s homes, health, safety, and access to clean water. Ultimately, these proposed projects harm all of us by deepening our dependence on fossil fuels and accelerating climate chaos.
A collaborative effort to ‘block the bad,’ an 8-foot tall, 8-foot wide steel sculpture, “The Defenders,” was created as a strong symbol of resistance to stand in defiance along these pipelines’ proposed paths. With $4000 raised through a crowdsourced fundraising campaign, donated talent from sculptors Mark Schwenk and Cheryl Langlais of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, “The Defenders” is currently making the rounds to properties close to the proposed pipeline route in Augusta, Bath and Nelson Counties whose landowners are welcoming the piece on their land.
This protest sculpture stands against the needless swath of destruction and downstream consequences of fracked gas pipelines. As a symbol of resistance and inspiration, it honors all those Defenders who are engaged in the fight against pipeline projects that threaten people and planet.
Members of the public are cordially invited to view “The Defenders” sculpture at its current location in Augusta County along Rt 340 at the Stuarts Draft Farm Market store at 2964 Stuarts Draft Hwy in Stuarts Draft at least through November … and pick up your holiday goodies while you are there!
Above photo is by Ken Wyner at the September 30, 2018, dedication of “The Defenders” near the Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center in Nelson County.
Climate Action Alliance of the Valley 