Group ends 'I Love Mountains Day' rallies

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth still loves mountains but the statewide environmental and social justice group is just showing it in different ways this year.

For the first time in a decade, there won't be an "I Love Mountains Day" in Frankfort during Valentines Day week this year.

The end of themed demonstration - among the largest environmental rallies in the state - also coincides with a sharp decline in surface mining in eastern Kentucky, amid a downturn in the state's coal industry due to market forces and regulations.

The annual march and rally on the Capitol steps had drawn thousands of environmental advocates from across the state over the last ten years and keynote speakers such as noted author and farmer Wendell Berry, actor Ashley Judd and U.S. Representative John Yarmuth.

KFTC and its friends have had 10 years of success with the environmental marches, letting elected leaders know of the group's love for Kentucky’s people and mountains, its determination to stop their destruction and its vision for a bright Appalachian future, according to a statement provided by the group.

"Just as we tried over the decade to evolve the theme of 'I Love Mountains Day' from one of just protest against mountaintop removal, valley fills and environmental destruction to one that also included value-based solutions like clean energy and economic justice for all, KFTC’s legislative strategy also has evolved," the statement said.

The big rallies that in some years drew more than 1,000 people took a lot of work to organize and actually lessened the group's direct contact with legislators, the statement said, adding that the decision to end the marches was made last year.The group held a "We Are Kentuckians' rally on Jan. 5, the first day of the new legislative session. They are also moving to more at-home meetings with legislators, the group said.

Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.