FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2013
Contact:
The Rev. Amy Ziglar
Pastor, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Roanoke
Elder Sherman Lea
Assoc. Minister, Garden of Prayer, Roanoke
Member, Roanoke City Council
Southwestern Virginia faith leaders issue resolution calling for continuation of Virginia’s moratorium on uranium mining
WHO: A group of African American pastors from Roanoke and surrounding communities in southwestern Virginia
WHAT: African American pastors representing congregations in Roanoke and neighboring localities in southwestern Virginia will announce the release of a resolution asking their representatives in the Virginia General Assembly to vote in favor of continuing Virginia’s statewide moratorium on uranium mining. In addition, the resolution asks the Virginia General Assembly to impose a permanent ban on uranium mining throughout the state.
WHEN: Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Roanoke City Council Chambers, 4th floor, Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, 215 Church Ave. S.W., Roanoke, VA 24011
WHY: Studies done by the National Academy of Sciences and other reputable sources provide no assurance that uranium can be mined and milled safely without affecting the health, economy and/or environment in southside and southwestern Virginia.
By issuing their resolution, the African American pastors in Roanoke and southwestern Virginia have joined the growing number of organizations and individuals in Virginia and North Carolina calling for continuing Virginia’s moratorium on uranium mining. Others who have recently issued statements opposing uranium mining in Virginia include Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling; the North Carolina Environmental Review Commission; the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Commonwealth University Prof. Peter deFur, who served on the National Research Council uranium mining study committee; the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce; Virginia Delegate Don Merricks, representing the district which includes the proposed uranium mine site in Pittsylvania County; Virginia Delegate Danny Marshall, representing the 14th District in Pittsylvania County; Virginia Senator John Edwards, representing the 21st District, including the City of Roanoke; the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation; Paul Fraim, Mayor, City of Norfolk; 40 local government entities in Virginia and North Carolina including the Cities of Roanoke and Martinsville; and 16,000 individuals who signed a petition presented to Gov. McDonnell’s Uranium Working Group in November.
VISUALS: Photo opportunities will be offered with the African American pastors following the announcement.
INTERVIEWS: The African American pastors issuing the resolution will be available to answer media questions.
