By Erica Peterson/KPR
Frankfort, KY – Governor Steve Beshear got an early Christmas gift from anti-mountaintop removal activists. Protesters spent several hours in the governor's office yesterday waiting for a chance to present him with lumps of coal.
The protest was an extension of a weekly event that's been going on since February, but this time it had a holiday twist. Martin Mudd dressed up as Santa Claus, and says he brought gifts for the governor.
"Santa brought the governor some lumps of coal and switches because he's been a naughty boy in not doing everything that he can to protect the people of eastern Kentucky and our mountains and water."
There were about 15 protesters, and they left a list of demands along with their gifts. They're asking Beshear to end strip mining, employ all surface mine workers in reclaiming the land and build a sustainable economy in eastern Kentucky. Neither Beshear nor Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson were in their offices to meet with the protesters.