Photo courtesy of www.securitasjobs.com
SALINE CO., Ill. — Yesterday evening in the Rocky Branch area of Cottage Township, a ceremony was held with representatives of the Vinyard Indian Settlement and residents of the Rocky Branch area near the logging site of the proposed Peabody mine.
The ceremony was interrupted, however, when a female guard began assaulting and attempting to intimidate the elderly residents who were attending the ceremony.
Secruitas is a security company that has contracted with Peabody to act as guards for their mine properties. The guards stay on the scene 24/7, and have been known to harass the residents of Rocky Branch in the past. Last night’s actions took the cake for unacceptable behavior, however, when it became literally dangerous for the people in attendance.
The group had taken a circular formation during the ceremony, leaving those who would have trouble on uneven land on the edge of the road, including one elderly resident which is confined to a wheelchair. During a moment of silence and prayer, representatives of Justice for Rocky Branch and Vinyard Indian Settlement heard the roar of an accelerating engine coming swiftly in their direction.
The group looked up to find a van driven by a female guard coming toward the residents who were on the side of the roadway. Some of those in attendance were forced to hurl themselves in front of the citizen who was in a wheelchair to prevent this person from being hit by the van.
The guard continued harassing the group, cursing them, claiming they had blocked they road (which they had not) and causing a massive scene. The representatives of Justice for Rocky Branch asked her politely to be considerate of the spiritual ceremony they were attempting to hold, which was not met with any positive feedback from the guard.
A report on the incident was made to Peabody Representative John Keller, who ensure the guard was placed under an investigation, and assured them that she would not be assigned to permitted back into the area.
This is just another example of the abuses that the citizens of Cottage Township have suffered under the weight of the impending mine. The Saline County Board has called a special meeting for April 15th at 5:30 p.m. to determine if they will allow the closure of Rocky Branch Road, and that decision may be the determining factor on the mine coming to the area, or leaving.