KFTC and our allies in Kentucky pulled off a 500-person rally with one week's notice because Kentuckians know that now is the time for solutions. 

Thanks to all the KFTC members who printed flyers, organized carpools, talked to your friends and neighbors about coming out, made signs, and showed up the event ready to stand with allies in the call for fair and adequate reforms.  Now we need to make sure that the legislature continues to hear the message.  We'll be following up with legislators who came down in support of the rally--including the ones who've yet to co-sponsor our tax reform bill!

Here's a non-inclusive list of some of the media coverage:

WTVQ
WKYT
FOX41
WAVE3

And here are some photos by Father Pat Delahanty from the Catholic Conference: 

Some photos from KFTC member (and summer intern--yay!) Beth Bissmeyer are on her facebook page.

And a follow-up letter to the editor from Attica Scott, who gave the final words at the rally. Attica is with Kentucky Jobs with Justice, an ally in Kentucky Forward.

There are also more photos from the 24th here on our blog!

Thanks for all your work to try to move Kentucky forward!

Our bill to Restore Voting Rights for most Former Felons who have served their debt to society has come a long way in recent years.  Let's take a moment to take a step back and plan the road ahead which includes a lot of action in 2011, but really critical organizing in 2010 to get ready for it.

In the simplest terms, we have seven steps in front of us:

1. Build Grassroots Power - Develop leaders, collect postcards and petitions, register voters, build alliances, and educate the public about Voting Rights.

2. House Committee - Pass the House Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee in the first few weeks of the legislative session in February of 2011.

3. House Floor - Pass a 60% super-majority vote of the House in February of 2011. 

4. Senate Committee - Pass the Senate State and Local Government Committee in February or March of 2011.  We will need to put a lot of pressure on Senate leadership and Committee chair Damon Thayer to accomplish this. 

5. Senate Floor - Pass a 60% super-majority vote of the Senate in February or March of 2011.

(March 2011-November 2012. Secure in the knowledge that we will be on the ballot in 2012, we'll create a massive ground campaign to organize communities across the state and educate and mobilize leading up to election day.  We will also use the two primary elections and 2011 General Elections to build our collective electoral skills and power.)

6. General Election - November 6th, 2012.  We’ll need around 991,000 yes votes to ratify our constitutional amendment, including 50,000 people KFTC will mobilize directly, along with tens of thousands more mobilized by our allies.

7. Former Felons Vote – Starting in 2014.  Our goal is ultimately for many of Kentucky’s 186,000 currently disenfranchised citizens to get out and take-part in our democracy – to provide more representation for low-income and people of color communities and to generally make our democracy stronger.  To this end, we need to include former felons in the campaign and build ownership at every step.

Note that we’ve gotten through the third step in three consecutive years and have laid the groundwork to get much further in the Senate.

Almost all of these steps are in 2011, but the first and continuous step of building grassroots support is absolutely necessary and it’s something we have to be doing now in all of our communities across the state, particularly in key Senate areas to help in steps 4 and 5. 

Since McKinley Sumner's family land in Perry County was trespassed on 3 1/2 years ago and literally stolen (part of it was gone) by International Coal Group, McKinley has spoken out about the problems with mountaintop removal and how coal companies harm people when they don't follow the law. 

With a lot of persistence, his family had gotten an agreement with the company to address the problems.  Part of that agreement required the company to plant trees and replace the soil.  They told McKinley that they were going to do it both last fall and earlier this year. 

After McKinley brought it to the attention of the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources and multiple elected officials that the reclamation had still not been completed, the coal company finally planted 60 white oak trees on the section of land destroyed.  If the trees don't take root over the course of the next year, the company committed to replant the trees. 

"I'm glad I didn't give up because you can get something done!" McKinley reflected.

KFTC member Lora Smith is currently working with the filmmakers of Deep Down: A story from the heart of coal country to organize screenings of the film across the region and the nation.  Lora took a few minutes to be interviewed at the Reel Engagement for the Energy & Natural Resource Revolution Retreat/Conference to answer the question "What sustains you and your work?"

KFTC members and allies had a great rally in Frankfort today for an adequate budget for Kentucky's schools, teachers, health-care and other critical services. 

Over 500 people came out in total and we had some great media coverage.

The rally was planned to coincide with the first day of the special legislative session to settle on a budget - something legislators failed to do in the regular legislative session earlier this year. 

Here are some of the first pictures of the day, but expect a larger report soon.

        

We had a great statewide Steering Committee meeting this past weekend in Hazard with over 35 people coming together to help

We spent most of the agenda exploring all pieces of our Canary Project campaigns fighting for protection of mountains and people in Eastern KY - from litigation to lobbying, community ground work, and much more. 

Another agenda item was officially accepting chapter petitions from Scott County KFTC and Northern KY KFTC - bringing us from 11 chapters to 13 in one day.  

Here are some pictures of the day.

        

KFTC and our allies in the Kentucky Forward Coalition are rallying in support of a people’s budget—a budget with adequate investments, with enough money for our kids’ after-school programs, health centers, affordable tuition, and safe communities. Kentuckians are worth these investments, and we’re standing together to call on the legislature to commit to the fair revenue reforms we need to make them.

Our rally is today at 5:00 p.m. at the front Capitol steps in Frankfort. There will be teachers, students of all sorts, people who keep our communities healthy, and people who want Kentucky to be a place that attracts good jobs—all coming together to move Kentucky forward. Below are some details to help you participate. Hope to see you there!

If you can't make it, call in today and tomorrow!

If you can't make the trip to Frankfort, please participate from home by calling in to the Legislative Message Line today or tomorrow. Leave a message for your state representative and senator, along with Speaker Stumbo and Senate President Williams.  The number to the Legislative Message Line is 1-800-372-7181, and it's open from 8am to 4:30pm, M-F.

Message:
It's time to move Kentucky Forward.  I support Representative Wayne's plan for comprehensive tax reforms that are fair and adequate! 

Other details about the Kentucky Forward Rally...(And if you're coming, at this point, you probably already know these!)
What should I wear?
Dress for the weather! Aside from that, wear your green KFTC shirt. If you don’t have one of those, wear red, white and/or blue.

When should I get there?
The rally starts at 5:00 at the Capitol steps, so plan to get there by 4:30 or 4:45.

How should I get there?
There is likely a carpool from your area, so get in touch with your nearest chapter organizer. If you don’t have one nearby, call Jessica at 859.533.0613 or jessicabreen@kftc.org.

What should I bring?
Yourself and your friends! Your signs are also most welcome.

Driving directions From the West (Louisville)
Take 1-64 to exit number 53-B to Highway 127 (Northbound)
Drive North on 127 to intersection of 127 and 676 (the East-West Connector). Turn Right on Route 676. Go down the hill.
At the stoplight at the bottom of the hill, turn left onto Route 420. (If you cross over the Kentucky River on 676 you’ve gone to far.) Follow Route 420 as it runs parallel to the Kentucky River.
Follow Route 420 for about 1/2 a mile. You will soon see a large concrete structure hanging out over the roadway. This is the entrance to the Capitol Annex garage. Turn left into the Garage. Park anywhere except the 2nd level. Take the elevator to the top level (level 1) of the garage. In front of you, you’ll see the Annex. To your right, will be the Capitol. Join us at 5:00 p.m. for a rally on the front steps of the Capitol. These steps are all the way around the other side of the building.

Directions From the East (Lexington)
Take either 1-64 or U.S. 60 to Frankfort. From 1-64, take exit 58 and turn right onto US 60.
Follow US 60 past the East-West Connector, also called Route 676.
Stay on US 60 as it bends sharply to the left and becomes East Main Street. Follow this road towards downtown Frankfort.
As you travel along East Main Street/Route 60, you will see Capital Avenue coming in from the left. Turn left here and then proceed straight. You will come to the Capitol in about .5 miles. You can find parking on the street, beside the Capitol or Capitol Annex building, or in the Capitol Annex parking garage, which is located below ground on the left side of the capitol. Park anywhere except the 2nd level. Take the elevator to the top level (level 1) of the garage. In front of you, you’ll see the Annex. To your right, will be the Capitol. Join us at 5:00 p.m. for a rally on the front steps of the Capitol. These steps are all the way around the other side of the building.

Our rally starts on the Capitol Steps at 5:00 p.m. and ends at 5:45. You’ll be back in your car by 6:00.

It’s going to be great! Hope to see you there.

KFTC members were among the grassroots activists – many part of the Alliance for Appalachia – who attended the Music Saves Mountains concert this past week in Nashville. The concert featured Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Dave Matthews, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Kathy Mattea, Big Kenny and others.

Artists sung classic songs from coal country - highlighting the history of coal in Appalachia and celebrating the fact that the Appalachians are the birthplace of some of the United States’ greatest music.

The concert included debut clips of the forthcoming film The Coal War and clips from the film Deep Down. KFTC's work, as well as that of the Alliance for Appalachia, was acknowledged from the stage.

The show was a benefit for the Natural Resources Defense Council. You can read their update on the concert here.

"The Alliance for Appalachia and all our friends and allies owe NRDC and all the musicians, technicians, promoters, artists, and activists a thanks for all their time, energy and talent that made the Music Saves Mountains such an amazing success," said Dana Kuhnline for the Alliance.

"The concert was a moment to celebrate the powerful movement that so many thousands across Appalachia and across the United States have created - and to celebrate the beautiful mountains and heritage we’re fighting to protect."

Many of the Alliance members stuck around in Nashville for public showings of Deep Down and Coal Country the next day.

See Chris Parton's blog post in CMT News.

3:45 PM

Greetings from Longest Avenue and Bardstown Road, Louisville Loves Mountains Festival 2010!

 In just a few minutes the street will be buzzing with people, but for now it's occupied by a crew of excited KFTC members playing frisbee. The music is kickin', the prayer flags are hung, food and beer are setting up, We can even see some blue peaking through the clouds... Now all that's missing is YOU! 

Here's a rundown of the days events, as I'll be updating them throughout the day:

Congressman John Yarmuth and Representative Jim Wayne are expected to be in attendance, and the Magnolia Photo Booth will also be available for part of the festival!

We have the following incredible artists donating their time and energy, with more to be announced very shortly! 

EMCEE: Mike Mays (4pm - 7pm), Laura Shine (7 pm-10pm)

4:45 PM Potluck Ramblers
http://potluckramblers.com/

5:30 PM Nora Ben and Eli 
http://www.norabenandeli.com/

6:15 PM Appalatin 
http://www.appalatin.com/

6:45 PM River City Drum Corpshttp://www.worknotes.com/ky/louisville/therivercitydrumcorp/index.html

7:00 PM KEYNOTE SPEAKER -- Makalani Bandele, Affrilachian Poet

7:30 PM Thomas A Minor & the Picket Line
http://www.myspace.com/thomasaminorandthepickinline

8:45 PM -- Maiden Radio
http://www.myspace.com/maidenradio 

9:30 PM Daniel Martin Moore and Special Guests
http://www.danielmartinmoore.com/

BBC and NABC will be selling beer, Ramsi's and Boombozz will be selling food, and of course there will be coffee from Heine Brother's Coffee and books to peruse from Carmichael's Bookstore. There will be kid friendly activities including "Muffintop Removal" by Shelly Biesel and people will be welcome to add to our banner project, an anti mountain top removal art project started by member Whit Forrester. 

You don't want to show up without a little cash, the Louisville Loves Mountains 2010 t-shirt looks great, and they'll sell fast at $15. Kentuckians for the Commonwealth t-shirts and stickers are also available, as are books and DVDs on the subject of mountaintop removal and coal mining. 

If you have a friend who isn't a member yet, bring them on down... It's going to be a great day!

5:38pm

Things are in full swing! Mother Nature has granted us sunny blue skies and a nice breeze...

Congressman Yarmuth just showed up and will be speaking and making the rounds in the next couple of hours. Don't miss an opportunity to shake hands!

Also, the event is 100% family friendly! There are plenty of four-legged friends and children hanging out in the crowd. Bring the kids for a fun lesson in "muffintop removal," or tap your feet to the music!

Speaking of which, I'm off to enjoy the bluegrass tunes over a slice of Boombozz pizza.. Pictures to come!

6:57pm

We weathered a little impromptu rain shower, but nothing has dampened the spirit of the event! Those who didn't huddle under the tents seeking shelter were happily dancing in the rain.. 

Longest Avenue is now full of people jamming to the thunderous beats of River City Drum Corp. Luckily, that's the only thunder rumbling down the alley!

It's a very heartening and humbling experience to be in the midst of a successful gathering for such an important cause. We're signing folks up to take mountain witness tours, registering new members, and engaging new generations of activists. 

There's no reason to reading about it from home... Come eat dinner from Ramsi's or Tony Boombozz and be part of this year's festivities, we're here for another three hours!

7:34pm

Affrilachian poet Makalani Bandele, this year's keynote speaker, just delivered a powerful speech reminding our Louisville audience that the effects of mountaintop removal are not just distant regional problems, they impact the political, environmental, judicial, and social dynamics of our entire state.  Every instance of injustice breeds the possibility of another, which weakens the individual liberties of every member of the Commonwealth. 

Bandele left us with a powerful message: "What happens up on the mountain comes right down here to Louisville. We are all interconnected, and we need to remember that."

8:05pm

Thomas A. Minor & the Picket Line just took the stage. Maiden Radio is up next, followed by Daniel Martin Moore and a very special guest... You don't want to miss this, 9:15pm will be a magic hour for music!

8:18pm

Carmichael's Bookstore is providing some very gracious temporary shelter from the rain. A little thunder and lightening put the music on hold, but everyone seems intent on waiting it out. Once the weather subsides everything will be back in action... Check back for weather updates!

8:53pm

The rain has won out... Things at Longest and Bardstown will be winding up, but the remaining bands haven't given up! Thomas A. Minor, Maiden Radio, and Daniel Martin Moore with special guests will be playing at 10pm at the Monkey Wrench, 1025 Barret Ave.

Let's hope that Mother Nature's victory over the festival is a good omen that she's ready to stand tall against King Coal! 

See everyone at the Monkey Wrench, we're going to wrap up this successful day with the party it deserves!

Saturday, 10:55am

Good things absolutely come to those who wait, last night at the Monkey Wrench was testament to that. The music started shortly after 10pm and didn't wrap up until the early morning hours! 

Daniel Martin Moore pulled out all the stops when he brought Jim James and Ben Sollee on stage with him. Word must have spread fast because every inch of the club was packed shoulder to shoulder with singing, smiling faces... It was an epic close for Louisville Loves Mountains 2010! 

We can't wait to see you all next year!

 Last night, twenty Northern KY KFTC members came together to petition to officially become KFTC's 13th Chapter.  It was an energetic, positive meeting with many new members, despite  beginning just an hour after Primary Election polls closed.

Before moving forward, we took a look back at what we've been able to accomplish in the five short months since we've been meeting regularly in the community.  Members shared stories of lobbying in Frankfort with KFTC, including the Voting Rights Lobby Day, and I Love Mountains Day, we recounted our Budget Bake Sale at NKU, our Yard Sale Fundraiser, Euchre for Justice Fundraiser, voter mobilization phone banks, and community festivals.

With that history in mind and many hopes for what we'll be able to accomplish in the Future, Nina Boskin lead the official vote for us to become a Chapter with all of the responsibilities that come along with that and the vote was a unanimous "yes."

"This might sound a little sappy,  but I really feel like there's a growing sense of community amongst this group.  It's great." - Rick Traud

We elected a strong slate of local leaders:

Steering Committee Representative Scott Goebel
Steering Committee Alternate Antonio Mazzaro
Publicity Co-Coordinators Amy Beth Able and Jean Caudill
Membership Coordinators Carrie Ann Welsh and Nina Bosken
Fundraising Co-Coordinators Alex Searles and Virginia Johnson

Upcoming NKY KFTC Events

May 20th – Deep Down Showing at the Newport Library at 7pm

May 22nd – KFTC Steering Committee Meeting, Hazard, KY where NKY KFTC members will submit their petition to become a chapter.

May 24th –First Day of the Special Legislative Session in Frankfort.  We’ll have a big rally for comprehensive, progressive tax reform on the first day of the session with allies at 5pm.

June 22-26 – Social Forum, Detroit

June 15th – NKY KFTC Meeting.  Florence City Building (or other location TBA), 7pm

June 25th – Dry Ridge.  Owen County Electric Annual Meeting

June 26th - Euchre For Justice (II) Fundraiser at the home of Joe Gallenstein