***Update***
The Roanoke County Police Department safely extricated two of the three individuals this afternoon and took them into custody. Police are working to remove the third individual.
The identities and charges are:
- Allan Harold Moore, 57, of Blacksburg VA
- Deborah Kushner, 66, of Schuyler, VA
Charges:
- Obstruction of Justice
- Obstructing free passage of others
- Stopping on Highway
Charges against Bridget Kelley Dearing, 64, of Lexington VA are forthcoming.
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At approximately 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, Roanoke County Police was notified that three individuals were locked to a car with approximately 15 additional supporters blocking Honeysuckle Road, in protest of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project. Honeysuckle Road is a public roadway and as such, cannot be blocked. It also poses a public safety issue in the event of an emergency. A Police Department extrication team will attempt to remove the individuals in a safe manner with their health and safety in mind. Once removed, they may face charges.
We recognize that the Mountain Valley Pipeline project has been for some time a very controversial issue for our community. The individuals are free to exercise their First Amendment rights, and have done so in a peaceful manner. The Roanoke County Police Department is not taking sides in this matter. They will uphold the law as they are required to do.