Seven Arrested In Arch Coal Protest Over Mining & Retiree Benefits

A trio of non-violent protest groups from Missouri and around the country have converged on Creve Coeur's Arch Coal headquarters to demonstrate against the firm's mining practices and economic policies.

Creve Coeur Police said 25 people showed up at the company's CityPlace offices Tuesday morning and that 7 people were able to link themselves together using a form of piping and what appeared to be a device resembling a flower pot. 

By 5 p.m., the scene was cleared. Creve Coeur Police Sgt. Glen Williams said all seven were charged with trespassing and resisting arrest.

Multiple crews from the and St. Louis County Police were on hand to assist. 

A spokeswoman for the protest groups said they were here to confront the company over what they believe is a connection between Arch Coal's practices and birth defects, as well as the the company's alleged role in transferring retiree healthcare benefits to Patriot Coal.

Patriot has filed for bankruptcy. The case will be heard beginning January 29.

An Arch Coal spokesperson did return a message seeking comment Tuesday.