As tensions over Dominion Energy’s pipeline projects increase across the state, embittered landowners along the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) path have turned their efforts towards occupation movements.
Theresa “Red” Terry, 61, and daughter Theresa Minor Terry, 30, have been living in treehouse platforms in the woods on their own property since April 2. The Terry property, situated on Bent Mountain, has been in the family for seven generations. Other tree sitters have begun to join their movement throughout the area, such as those who are perched in the woods on Carolyn Reilly’s property, just 30 minutes away.
Theresa Minor Terry’s Tree Sit
“Most people [the pipeline] was affecting have been busy doing lawful things for three years and it’s gotten them nowhere,” Red Terry said. “When they gave the permission to cut on my property, that’s when I decided to go up [the tree]. It’s gotten [MVP’s] attention a lot faster than doing things the right way.”
Reilly and the Terrys are now being held in contempt of court, while the Terrys have been charged with three misdemeanors by the state, including impeding work and trespassing. Both Red and Minor Terry are living on separate tree platforms in two different locations, both near streams running through their property. MVP claims their protest has halted work to cut trees, but the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has forbidden MVP to cut trees within 75 feet of any waterway for the season due to the Roanoke logperch spawning season, a local fish protected by the state.
Police Tent on Red Terry’s Property
“If I weren’t here, they would cut anyway,” Minor Terry said, whose tree perch is described by state law enforcement as an ‘active crime scene.’ Both state police and Global Security, a private security company hired by MVP, share a tent while camping outside Red and Minor’s tree sits.
“We need to be clear with ourselves that this structure of law enforcement is to serve this company over the power of the people,” said Alex, a tree sitter on the Reilly property who is using a different name to preserve anonymity. “I know that this is a way, at least for a time, to stop the construction. They’re getting scared now.”
The Terrys’ court date is set for tomorrow, while the Reillys are set to appear this Friday at 11am. If convicted, they each could be charged with daily fines for every day they remain living in the trees.
Some photos from RVA Mag’s trip to document the tree sits out west can be found below:
The Resistance, Tree Sits
The Camp at Red Terry’s Property
Sign’s Surrouynding Red Terry’s Tree Sit
Minor Terry’s Tree Sit
Police Tent on Minor Terry’s Tree Sit
Carolyn Reilly’s Property
Tree Sit on the Reilly’s Property
All photos by Landon Shroder
*Editors Note: Keep an eye out for RVA #33 and Madelyne Ashworth’s in-depth reporting on pipeline resistance throughout the Commonwealth.
