Will Solis, American
“Nettle,” a tree sitter protesting the Mountain Valley Pipeline, 2018
This image depicts an individual called “Nettle” sitting on a platform mounted to a tree in protest of the Mountain Valley Pipeline near Elliston, Virginia. Tree-sitting protests, taking place in trees meant to be cut down in the path of the pipeline, are just one way the Appalachian community is fighting back against the construction of a large gas line through their region. The construction has not only endangered ecosystems that currently support near extinct species but has also caused health risk to communities by exposure to chemicals through air as well as contamination of the water supply. Protesters like Nettle continue to advocate for their community to stop the continuation of this event. Label by Annabelle Marcais