For the last five days, two dozen KFTC members, joined with dozens of Kentucky allies (from Jobs with Justice and other groups) and tens of thousands of allies from across the US and the rest of the world gathered in Detroit for the US Social Forum.

There were over 1,000 workshops focusing on a broad range of topics including environmental justice, anti-racism, immigration reform, lobbying, gay rights, anti-war, economic justice, non-violent civil disobedience, and much more.  There were also plenary sessions, actions, social events, and other activities.

KFTC members hosted two powerful workshops with about sixty people attending between them.  The workshops were “The Struggle For Justice in the Coalfields of Central Appalachia and Colombia” and “A Discussion About the Life and Example of Anne Braden.” 

       

Both were well-attended by an engaged group of people who asked good questions and seemed to get a lot out of the experience.

The Alliance For Appalachia (including KFTC members) set up a booth throughout the Social Forum to talk to people about mountaintop removal mining and other damages inflicted on communities by the coal industry.

KFTC members are just starting to really digest and analyze their experience this week and are getting a sense of what they’re bringing back to Kentucky with them.  Here are some parting thoughts from the last hours of the Social Forum:

“I’m bringing back a deeper knowledge and commitment to the interconnectedness of social change.  - Gina Chamberlain, Madison County Chapter

 “It’s overwhelming in a wonderful way to be here with so many kind-hearted people struggling for what’s best” - Becki Winchel, Jefferson County Chapter

“No matter how isolated we feel sometimes, we are part of this broader, bigger, energetic movement - and it’s good to be reminded of that.” - Vanessa Hall, Pike County Chapter

“This week has re-instilled my faith that America is a place for everyone… regardless of gender, physical ability, financial status, race, etc.  Some people forget that we are supposed to have inalienable rights, but here, it felt real.” - Howard Owens, Jefferson County Chapter

“I’m bringing back a sense of hope, grounded in the knowledge that this is a long-term struggle and we need patience.” - Steve Pavey, Scott County Chapter

 “I’m an old radical and I’ve never been around this many other radical people – including lots of young people in leadership roles.  It was an opportunity to kind’ve pass the torch to the next generation.” - Jack Norris, Jefferson County Chapter

KFTC members have finished their first day of the U.S. Social Forum, taking part in the opening ceremonies and the big march to Cobo Hall.  Our folks have registered and are getting some much-needed rest before jumping into a day packed with workshops tomorrow. 

Here are some pictures from Day 1

Live Twitter coverage of the USSF

Social Forum participants from around the country will be reporting their experiences via Twitter. You can follow with them below:

Live Video

Free Speech TV is providing live coverage of much of the USSF. You can watch online here:

At 1am last night, the first KFTC members boarded buses that would take them across the country, picking up activists to bring them to the US Social Forum in Detroit.  Twelve hours later, we have arrived!

For the rest of the week, we'll meet with grassroots organizers and leaders from across the country and beyond to learn from one-another in a wide range of workshops, actions, and other events.

KFTC members will help to facilitate workshops such as "The Struggle for Justice in the Coal fields of Appalachia and Colombia," "A discussion of the life and example of Anne Braden, and "Appalachian Economy in Transition."

Later tonight is the opening ceremony and march.  Check back for pictures of that and other updates throughout the week.

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?"

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.

        

On April 30th, the central Kentucky chapter of KFTC held a chili-cook off friendraiser. What's a friendraiser you ask? Well it's an opportunity to raise money for the organization but with a focus on giving members a chance to hang out with one another, celebrate all of our hard work, and just have a darn good time.

The event was held at the Lexington Friends meeting house on Price street. Six folks entered chili into the contest and nearly forty people came out to partake in the deliciousness.

The chili was fantastic, and incredibly diverse. There were chilis w/ sirloin, turkey and chicken, as well as two vegan options. One chili even had cornbread baked right into it!

I'm not surprised that folks put such effort into their entries considering the prize for first place! The winner of the event took home a copy of the beautiful hard covered book about mountain top removal mining plundering appalachia, a gift certificate for a one-hour massage, and a dinner for two from Stella's Kentucky deli.

Our three wonderful judges that evening are each KFTC members with a keen sense of what makes a good chili. Member Chris Oaks who hails from the Cincinatti area explained to the contestants that what he looks for in a chili is "depth,"while Danielle Boucher who is a newer member and a UK undergraduate explained that she looks for "kick." Our third judge, Marty Mudd who is active on KFTC's land reform committee and also a member of Kentucky mountain justice informed us that he would be looking for a chili w/ "many layers."  

Our winner that evening was long time KFTC member Teresa McReynolds with her sirloin chili. However, in my opinion everyone was a winner considering there wasn't a drop of chili left by the end of the night! In addition to the cook off we also held a raffle. Tickets were $1 and raffle items were donated by several local businesses including Stella's Kentucky Deli, The Morris Book Shop, Woodland Computers, and Charmed Life Tattoo. We also had two professional massages donated by Nishaan Sandhu and Phil Robinson.

It was a rockin' good time and we ended up raising almost $280. Thanks to everyone who came out, to all the businesses and individuals who donated raffle items, to everyone who entered chili, and a special thanks to our intern Jordan Panning for coming up with the idea and organizing the event. We'll be sure to do it again next year!

Members of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth are invited to apply for a scholarship to participate in the US Social Forum in Detroit, June 22-26th.

The US Social Forum is not a typical conference, although it will offer hundreds of workshops, discussion sessions and cultural events. It is instead a space for people to build relationships, learn from each other and develop a shared analysis of the problems our communities face.  Tens of thousands of activists, community members, and progressive leaders from the US and around the world will participate. (To learn more about the US Social Forum, please visit www.ussf2010.org)
 
KFTC will sponsor up to ten members to participate in this exciting opportunity, including help with lodging, transportation, registration and food expenses. Our Leadership Development Committee will select participants based on the following criteria:

    * The KFTC delegation will be diverse in many ways, including age, gender, geography, issue interests, race, and economic background
    * The KFTC delegation will include long-time members and emerging leaders who are excited make the most of the experience and willing to share what they learn.
    * All participants will be willing to make a personal contribution (at whatever level they can afford), and help where possible with additional fundraising efforts.


Contact Lisa Abbott (lisa@kftc.org) by Monday, April 26 if you are interested in going to the US Social Forum as part of KFTC’s delegation. Feel free to contact her with any questions about this opportunity by calling 859-200-5159 or emailing lisa@kftc.org.

As part of this year’s “I Love Mountains” day, more than 20 KFTC young people – all between the ages of 5 and 25 – met with five members of Governor Beshear’s staff.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns about the harm that mountaintop removal coal mining creates as well as talk about creating a transition towards a clean and sustainable energy economy.  The KFTC meeting was entirely youth-planned and youth-led.

Six-year old Makayla Urias from Pike County shared what it is like living next to a mountaintop removal operation.  She talked about her polluted water, being scared from the large blasting noises, and having to cover her face when going outside because of the dust pollution.  She even brought some of her dirty water to share with the Governor’s office. 

The young KFTC members presented scientific information about the pollution and destruction created by mountaintop removal coal mining.  They also presented information about the economic benefits and jobs that could be created in Eastern Kentucky and the rest of the state if Kentucky chose to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives.

The group used a large board to list the questions they asked the administration with a space to mark answers they received as a “yes”, “no”, or “waffle.”  By the end of the meeting, the group received a commitment to meeting with Governor Beshear within a month.  The youth delegation is excited to begin preparing to meet with Governor Beshear.  They are even talking about having their next planning meeting over waffles! 

Below is a complete summary of their questions and responses received.

1.) Will Governor Beshear support S.B. 139 and H.B. 416, the Stream Saver Bill?
    Answer:  Waffle

2.) Will the Governor create and announce a plan to end mountaintop removal and valley fills coal mining?
    Answer:  No

3.) Will Governor Beshear support H.B. 408, the Clean-Energy bill?
   Answer:  ? (Will get back to us soon once they study the bill – stay tuned for their response.)

4.) Will the Governor begin working vigorously to create new, green jobs and a new clean energy economy in Kentucky, especially for coal-producing areas and workers?
    Answer:  Yes

5.) Will Governor Beshear meet with KFTC – within a month – to talk about mountaintop removal and Kentucky’s clean energy future?
    Answer:  Yes

Here is a 7-minute video summary of their meeting.  Click on the video to watch it.

KFTC youth-led "I Love Mountains" meeting with Governor Beshear from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

Here is a 2-minute video summary of just the discussion around renewable energy possibilities in Kentucky.

"Renewable is Doable" KFTC youth meeting with Beshear Administration from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

On Saturday, 14 KFTC members came together to plan a meeting with Governor Beshear's top staff this Thursday as part of "I Love Mountains" day.  They plan on talking to the governor's staff about the problems with mountaintop removal coal mining, the need to transition away from coal and towards sustainable energy, and the opportunity for jobs and a new economy that clean energy can create for Kentucky.

They also plan on speaking to this issue with a unique perspective -- they are between the ages of 5 and 25.  They think their youth allows them to speak to the importance of investing in a clean future for Kentucky.  Stay tuned to hear about how their meeting goes and next steps that come out of the meeting. 

And this group would love to see all of you at "I Love Mountains" day this Thursday, February 11th at 11 a.m. at the State Capitol.  More information and registration can be found at www.kftc.org/love.