West Virginia Environmental Activist Judy Bonds Dies

Our deepest condolences go out to the family of West Virginia environmental activist Judy Bonds, who died Monday evening, according to Coal River Mountain Watch. She was the executive director of Coal River Mountain Watch, which is an activist group that fights mountaintop removal coal mining. No word on the cause of her death.

"Judy will be missed by all in this movement, as an icon, a leader, an inspiration, and a friend," Coal River Mountain Watch co-director Vernon Haltom said in a statement on the group's website. "No words can ever express what she has meant, and what she will always mean. We will tell stories about her, around fires, in meeting rooms, and any place where people are gathered in the name of justice and love for our fellow human beings.

"When we prevail, as we must, we will remember Judy as one of the great heroes of our movement. We will always remember her for her passion, conviction, tenacity, and courage, as well as her love of family and friends and her compassion for her fellow human beings. While we grieve, let’s remember what she said, “Fight harder.” Source: WVNS 59