The Alliance for Appalachia

By KFTC Member Martin Mudd

For the last five years I have been aware of the abomination that is Mountaintop Removal mining, thanks to KFTC. I have attended rallies in Frankfort, lobbied politicians, sent letters. It was only last year, however, that I first participated in an act of non-violent civil disobedience to protest Massey Energy’s crimes against the residents of the coalfields. I was inspired to do so while participating in the 2009 Mountain Justice Summer training camp, where I heard the passionate stories of people fighting MTR right in their backyards. Their stories moved me, and I knew that I had to do something more than just send another letter to Frankfort.

I want to invite all members of KFTC to join me at Mountain Justice Summer 2010. Come hear the stories of MTR, the history of resistance to strip mining; see the devastating ecological and human impacts caused by surface mining in Appalachia. Come learn techniques of resistance, how to organize in the coalfields and elsewhere, how to heal broken land and help build sustainable economies and communities. Come celebrate Appalachian culture in words, music, art and dance. Come join author and KFTC member Wendell Berry in a conversation about what it’s going to take to stop the destruction of our mountains.

Mountain Justice is a group of people across the country that demand the abolition of MTR and steep-slope strip mining of coal. We work to protect the cultural and natural heritage of the Appalachian coal fields. We work to contribute with grassroots organizing, public education, nonviolent civil disobedience and other forms of citizen action.

The camp will be at Wiley’s Last Resort in Letcher County from May 27-June 6. All ages are welcome. Come when you can, leave when you must. Register now atwww.mountainjustice.org

I’ll see you there!