Greenpeace

The people have spoken and won’t be ignored: We’ve got to stop coal and mountain-top removal mining now.

We know that coal kills and leaves a deadly legacy throughout its entire life cycle. Destroyed mountains, poisoned water, filled valleys, sludge and ash impoundments, global warming pollution, asthma, and cancer are all gifts of mining and burning coal. 

But the people are standing up. As Greenpeace continues its Coal Free Future Tour this month, our allies in Kentucky are also showing their love for mountains, clean air and water this Valentine’s Day.

Today marks day four of an inspiring sit-in in Governor Beshear’s office in Frankfort, KY. Fourteen Kentucky Rising activists including author Wendell Berry are spending the nights on floors and chairs, occupying the governor’s office to demand that he end the destructive, poisoning practice of mountain-top removal mining.

This sit-in comes after numerous meetings with the governor asking him to stop the destruction that is coal mining. The governor has responded by downright ignoring the will of the people. Last fall, Governor Beshear sued the EPA to keep them from trying to protect the water around mining sites! Clearly, it was time for the people to rise up.

Mickey McCoy, one of the protesters, was just in Wilmington, NC inspiring activists to rise up there.  It’s plain to see why he does this.

People in Appalachia and around coal-fired power plants all across the country are being killed. Asthma, cancer and heart disease are not just a “cost of doing business.” People are sick and tired of being poisoned while coal companies make billions in profits. We must make a choice: people’s lives or polluter’s profits. There is clearly a right and wrong here. And it’s electrifying to see the people of Kentucky standing up for what is right.

You can hear acclaimed author, Jeff Biggers interview some of the other inspiring activists here.

I am not the only one who agrees with the activists sitting-in.  Adding support to the movement were hundreds rallying outside the governor’s office today, “I Love Mountains Day.” Continuing on last year’s tradition, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth sponsored the day that brought hundreds to the capital to say “No More!” to coal and mountain top removal mining.

Love is standing up for what is right.

I, for one, am feeling the love this Valentine’s Day.