Environmental activists and eastern Kentucky residents are heading to the state Capitol next week to protest surface mining in Appalachia.
The annual protest in Frankfort is called "I Love Mountains Day." Now in its 10th year, it attracts hundreds of protesters to the steps of the state Capitol building.
Organizers say they are protesting the destructive effects of mountaintop removal coal mining in eastern Kentucky. The mining practice uses blasting and earth movers on mountaintops to get at coal seams.
It started in 2006. The first two years, the event consisted of a news conference and a push for legislation to protect streams and waterways around surface mines. Now it includes marches and rallies with hundreds of people. This year's event is Feb. 12.
