KFTC Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Cincinnati | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

KFTC Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Cincinnati

KFTC has sent a letter with a brief statement of solidarity for an action planned by OccupyCincinnati and OccupySuperCommittee in support of eliminating fossil fuel subsidies from the federal budget. The action focuses on the so-called federal Super Committee that is tasked with eliminating $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit. Ohio U.S. Senator Rob Portman is a member.


The letter, signed by Chairperson Steve Boyce, stated in part:



The grassroots membership of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth stands in solidarity with our neighbors in Ohio and people everywhere who are using non-violent direct action to advance a vision for a more just and sustainable future. We applaud and support the growing movement to end federal subsidies for Old Power fossil fuels; stop the destruction of our land, air, water and health; and hold corporations and political leaders accountable.


We would like to share KFTC’s vision statement with you, as it expresses many of the values and goals we share with this growing movement:


We are working for a day when Kentuckians – and all people – enjoy a better quality of life. When the lives of people and communities matter before profits. When our communities have good jobs that support our families without doing damage to the water, air and land. When companies and the wealthy pay their share of taxes and can’t buy elections. When all people have health care, food, education, clean water and other basic needs. When children are listened to and valued. When discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits and hearts. And when the voices of ordinary people are heard and respected in our democracy.



Boyce also encouraged citizens who take part in the action to remember a few facts about coal subsidies in particular:



<!--[if !supportLists]-->§  <!--[endif]-->The federal government spent $72 billion in direct subsidies to the coal industry between 2002 and 2008. (2009 report by Environmental Law Institute called U.S. Government Subsidies for Energy Sources 2002-2008)


<!--[if !supportLists]-->§  <!--[endif]-->Citizens living in Ohio, Kentucky and our neighboring states further subsidize the coal industry by paying out of our own pockets for the high costs of coal pollution that is dumped into our air and water. Here in the Ohio River Valley, we pay with shortened lives, degraded health, and increased rates of cancer, asthma, and birth defects. We are also paying with our pocketbooks for the rising costs of climate destabilization, environmental degradation, and health care costs associated with coal pollution. 


<!--[if !supportLists]-->§  <!--[endif]-->For example, peer reviewed studies have documented that people living near mountaintop mining have cancer rates twice as high as people elsewhere in Appalachia; the risk of children being born with birth defects is significantly higher in mining communities; and the public health costs of pollution from coal operations in Appalachia amount to a staggering $75 billion a year.  (Sources include several 2011 studies by Dr. Michael Hendryx and a 2011 study published by The Harvard Center for Health and the Global Environment called Full Cost Accounting for the Life Cycle of Coal.)


If you want to help support the action you can join the OccupyCincinnati on a march to Senator Portman's Cincinnati Office beginning at 1 p.m. at Piatt Park in Cincinnati. On Monday OccupyCincinnati is asking for people to help occupy Senator Portman's office by either visiting in person, e-mailing, calling, or faxing U.S. Senator Rob Portman.


If you would like more information about Occupy Cincinnati, or about the proposed actions, contact Kate Gallion by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling 513-460-1461.

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