On November 13, 2010 members from Students for a Just and Stable Future road bicycles with a coalition of other organizations from Davis square to The Salem Harbor Power Station in Salem Massachusetts. The goal of the ride was to spread awareness about the health risks and environmental risks posed by the burning of coal at the facility.

The ride was over 18 miles long and weaved in and out of local communities on the way to the plant. Many watched the group of 50+ riders and read their Quit Coal flags. People cheered, waved, and told riders to keep up the good work as they rode by on a beautiful day. Once the group of riders arrived in Salem they joined a welcoming rally organized by Healthlink and S.A.F.E.

For many students, this was the first time they seen a coal plant up close.  Now, they could not miss the unpleasantly large smokestacks or the coal piled stories high. . The plant is located right along the harbor and is surrounded by a quiet neighborhood of homes, schools and hospitals.  Salem Harbor Power Station is owned by Dominion Resources, a Virginia based company which gets a majority of their coal from open pit mines in Columbia.

Roll Against Coal was an exciting way for students and community groups to show solidarity and make their voices heard.

For more information about other events or to learn how you can get involved in the Coalition, please email Mike Green at Green.mi@neu.edu.

Photos attached by Elli Blaine