This “no pipeline” sign sits outside of John and Ruby Laury’s home in Buckingham County. The sign states that the pipeline is “not a done deal”, telling neighbors that there is still time to stop the construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP).
Just like these flowers growing through the cement outside of Union Grove Baptist Church, the people of Buckingham County have shown us that even in the most frustrating times–against all odds–beauty finds a way to shine through.
Union Hill Baptist Church in Buckingham has been a consistent meeting place for the pipeline resistance over the past four years. Rev. Paul Wilson, the pastor, has been on the front lines of the fight against the ACP and the compressor station.
This is Ella Rose. She lives adjacent to the property where the compressor station is proposed to be built, and she has been fighting it ever since she first heard about the project. A lover of stars and birds and trees–Ella is warm, funny, feisty, and outspoken.
John and Ruby Laury are homeowners in the Union Hill area and are in opposition to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. They have been attending all of the hearings and public forums on the pipeline for the past four years and speaking out.
A “no pipeline” sign is proudly displayed outside of Union Grove Baptist Church. This is the sister church to Union Hill and is also led by Pastor Paul Wilson. The two churches were in the process of merging before the controversy around the pipeline divided members.
Just down the road from Ella Rose’s home there is a large stretch of land that is clear cut. This is where the compressor station is proposed to go.
Half a mile from Ella Rose’s home the corridor for the ACP is already being logged.
Chad Oba is the founder and president of Friends of Buckingham, a group that organizes community members against the ACP. She is the one who first alerted many of the residents of Buckingham County to the construction of the pipeline.
Pastor Paul stands on the front stoop of Union Grove Baptist Church. Because of his stance against the pipeline, some church members have asked for his removal, but he has remained strong and outspoken in his views on the issue.
A sign marks the entrance to Yogaville in Buckingham, Virginia.
The Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) temple at Yogaville sits on the banks of the James River. As a retreat center, Yogaville relies heavily on the natural landscapes and peaceful atmosphere of the Shenandoah Valley for their business.
This panorama of the James River was taken from a lookout at Yogaville. On the left side of the photo is the LOTUS temple, and across from that is where the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is proposed to cross the James River.
A statue of Shiva stands above the LOTUS temple. Monks and visitors at the retreat center come here to meditate.
Joseph Jeeva Abbate, director of Yogaville Environmental Solutions (YES), gives a tour of the grounds to Shifting Climates hosts Harrison Horst and Michaela Mast.
Jeeva stands outside of the Yogaville dining hall with a sign stating the building is powered completely by solar power. As director of YES, Jeeva works to promote clean energy and help Yogaville transition to renewable energy.
Jeeva has been heavily involved in the pipeline resistance, and has done a significant amount of research for the community fact checking Dominion’s information.
The entrance to the LOTUS temple is filled with flowers and water features. Everything is symmetrically designed.
LOTUS was built to bring about interfaith understanding and promote peaceful relations between the world religions. It was created in the shape of a lotus flower, a sacred Hindu symbol.
The LOTUS temple was built in 1986 as a tribute to all the different world religions. The residents at Yogaville believe that all religions share a common truth and welcome people of all faiths to the retreat center.
Swami Dayananda is a monk at Yogaville Ashram in Buckingham County. She has been very involved in the pipeline resistance with Friends of Buckingham.
