- Last Updated on 05:25 PM 09/16/12
- BY Danielle Vaughn
More than 450 people came out to fight lifting the ban on uranium mining at a Saturday evening event at the home of Delegate James Edmunds exceeding his anticipated goal and raising more than $100,000 in the process, according to John Cannon, president of the Virginia Coalition.
The Virginia Coalition, a group of professionals and job creators based in Halifax, organized the fundraiser in an effort to raise awareness of the risks to health and quality of life, posed by the project.
Educational information about uranium mining also was available to those attending.
Edmunds said the event exceeded his expectations and “truly showed the community’s support for keeping the ban.”
Potential health risks and stifled economical development due to stigma, Edmunds said are reasons the ban should not be lifted.
The delegate said he hoped those who attended the fundraiser would maintain their excitement and enthusiasm in the fight to keep the ban.
“The ban will stay in place if the citizens work hard to keep it,” Edmunds said. “If we’re wrong on uranium, we’re wrong forever because time won’t heal the wounds of uranium. This is an issue that is different from other aspects of energy independence because the risks are so long term. I am for all aspects of energy independence with exception of uranium mining.”
http://www.yourgv.com/index.php/news/local-news/6272-hundreds-take-stand-against-uranium-at-fundraiser
