Starts:

Sunday April 19, 2026

    2:00 PM

Ends:

    4:00 PM

Sunday Matinee: "Running for the Mountains," An Earth Day Event 

A story about dark money, environmental devastation, and those who pay the price while others profit.

Sunday, April 19, 2-4 p.m. 

Featuring a discussion with the film’s co-producer and director Julie Eisenberg and West Virginia activist, photographer,

and film subject Paul Corbit Brown 

Don’t miss this award-winning film that unravels a cautionary tale for the entire nation—about the bad policies, dirty politics, and reckless deregulation in West Virginia that have endangered our shared environmental future. After viewing the documentary, we’ll host a discussion with the director and subject of the film on how we can renew a form of patriotism that honors the Earth and our health. 

Please bring guests to this event! A limited number of tickets will be available to the public. 

EVENT DETAILS: 

• 1:30 p.m. doors open. film presentation, 2 – 3:15 p.m. discussion and Q&A, 3:15 – 4 p.m.
• $20 for WNDC members and $25 for non-members
• A cash bar, popcorn, and snacks will be available throughout the afternoon.

In 2008, filmmakers Julie Eisenberg and Babette Hogan began following West Virginia activist Jesse Johnson’s campaign for governor. The campaign focused on the impacts of mountaintop removal mining being promoted by his opponents, including incumbent Gov. Joe Manchin, that has destroyed over 500 mountains in Appalachia and poisoned thousands of miles of streams.  

Following years of investigation, Eisenberg and Hogan revealed a story of increasing destruction and repression in Appalachia that offers a dire warning for the nation—but also shows a way forward. They documented West Virginia's political machine; the conflicts of interest and cozy relationships across local media, law enforcement, and energy companies; and Manchin's expanding power, from the state legislature to the governor’s office and finally to the U.S. Senate, where he chaired the Energy Committee and blocked a transition to green energy.  

Yet the film introduces people who live on the front lines of environmental impacts of coal mining, fracking, chemical leaks, and pipelines. These citizens living in a "sacrifice zone" bear witness to the destruction of their land, dreams, and health. Their message is at the thematic heart of the film: changing the narrative that "patriotic" sacrifice of one's land is the key to Appalachia's salvation. That leads to re-taking electoral, legislative, and regulatory control to preserve and rebuild environmental and human health in West Virginia and beyond.  

Eisenberg built her career in the DC area, co-creating award-winning pieces on environment, energy, activism, health care, housing, and labor for news services, unions, the EPA, HUD, and nonprofits. Together, she and producer/director Babette Hogan produced “Water for Life” for “Global Mosaic,” about the fight for safe water in West Virginia and in India. 

Corbit Brown is a cinematographer, photojournalist, and West Virginian son of a coal miner who provides one of the film's key voices. His photographs of humanitarian stories, shot throughout the world, have been exhibited nationally and printed in publications including The Washington Post, Time magazine, and The LA Times.  

For non-member event reservations: please email pfitzgerald@democraticwoman.org or telephone 202-232-7363 Ext. 402 (voicemails will also be accepted).

*Please note: Guests, with the exception of members’ spouses and domestic partners, may attend a maximum of three paid events from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. After the third event, they must join the Club to continue attending events.* 

Please note: By attending a WNDC event, participants agree to being recorded and/or photographed, and the resulting assets may be used for promotional purposes. Should you wish not to be recorded or photographed, please notify a member of the WNDC staff on site.