Activists refuse to leave Governor's office Friday

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth letter


Citizens refuse to leave Gov. Beshear's office until their demands are met

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Citizen activists waiting it out the governor's office, from left to right: Stanley Sturgill, Bev May, Teri Blanton, Patty Wallace, Wendell Berry, and Rick Handshoe

We're writing to let you know there are dramatic events happening in Frankfort today. Twenty people have been sitting in Gov. Steve Beshear's office since 10 a.m. this morning, there to ask the governor to make a pledge to stop the poisoning of Kentucky’s land, water, and people by mountaintop removal.

After initially saying he was unavailable, the governor did come out and talk with the group for about 40 minutes. He listened but attributed the stories of destroyed land, poisoned drinking water and the lack of enforcement of mining laws to "a difference of opinion." 

The group of folks in the governor's office, which include a number of directly impacted coalfield residents joined by Wendell Berry and Erik Reece and other Kentucky authors, were not satisfied with Beshear's responses. They have resolved to stay in his office while he reconsiders – and at least a dozen are expected to stay all weekend and not emerge until the I Love Mountains Day rally on Monday.

Will you take a minute right now to call the governor's office with a message in support of the courageous people sitting in his office. The number for the governor's office is 502-564-2611.

Message: "I stand in support of the actions and demands of the folks visiting the governor's office demanding an end to the destruction of our land, water, and people by mountaintop removal." 

KFTC has been covering this event as it unfolds on our website, where you can  watch live video and read updates  from inside the governor's office. Additionally we are providing updates and photos on our Facebook Page. Please follow along and join in on the conversation.

IMPORTANT: Now more than ever we need a great turnout for I Love Mountains Day on Monday to reinforce our demand that mountaintop removal must end and that we must embrace a transition to clean energy solutions – and to welcome as heroes those sitting in the governor's office all weekend when they emerge. If you're undecided about coming, we need you there! If you haven't asked three