Artists Join Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Broad Coalition to Speak Out Against Mountaintop Removal Mining in Online Video Campaign

Emmylou Harris, Naomi Judd and Kathy Mattea Raise Awareness for March on Blair Mountain and the June 3 Theatrical Release of The Last Mountain Film

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Emmylou Harris, Naomi Judd, and Kathy Mattea are lending their voices to a growing chorus of citizens across the country determined to stop "mountaintop removal" (MTR), a devastating strip mining practice which destroys entire landscapes to uncover coal deposits in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Maryland.

In a series of video messages, these artists and others are joining with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and local and national organizations to help raise public awareness about an upcoming march to end mountaintop removal and a new documentary feature film called THE LAST MOUNTAIN being released in early June to help shape public opinion on the issue.

Mountaintop removal is known for blowing up mountains, defacing the landscape and exposing residents to toxic substances in the air and water.  "The effects of mountaintop removal really ripple out for everyone, not just Appalachia," says Grammy Award-winning singer Kathy Mattea. "I think there's still some hope that we can stop this before it hits the tipping point, and that's really why this is so important."

The videos will be released online and via social media by a coalition of organizations which includes Alliance for Appalachia, Appalachian Voices, Center for Biological Diversity, Coal River Mountain Watch, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Rainforest Action Network, Rock the Earth, Sierra Club, and 350.org.  The video series and THE LAST MOUNTAIN will be screened during the upcoming March on Blair Mountain on June 6 – 11th, a five-day march from Charleston to Logan, WV to raise awareness about MTR and promote sustainable jobs for all Appalachian communities.

"I was astounded at how little people outside of coal country know about this devastating practice," says Bill Haney, award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of THE LAST MOUNTAIN. "Not only is the film dramatically engaging as an inspiring true story, but together with the online video series, it is an innovative cultural strategy to educate the country about MTR's calamitous effects."

The Last Mountain - Synopsis

In the heart of Appalachia, a battle rages over the fate of the last great mountain. A mining giant that wants to obliterate Coal River Mountain for the coal that lies inside, while local families fight to defend their community, their heritage and their futures. The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America's struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental and public health concerns, so the daring solution proposed by this small Appalachian community quickly takes on national significance. And when Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. joins Appalachian families and activists, harnessing the power of citizen democracy to fend off the extraordinary and insidious power of Big Coal, the conflict flares. With waitresses, college students and former marines taking extraordinary risks to stave off the Coal Industry's lobbyists and politicians, the revolutionary fight for the future of Appalachia, and for our collective future, is revealed. THE LAST MOUNTAIN premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival and opens in New York and DC on June 3 and Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago immediately following.

For more information on THE LAST MOUNTAIN and to view the videos go to www.thelastmountainmovie.com/video

SOURCE Dada Films and Uncommon Productions