Ashley Judd fights mountaintop mining

Ashley Judd has spoken out against mountaintop coal mining.

The actress accused the US government of condoning and supporting the "rape of Appalachia", according to reports.

The 42-year-old delivered a speech at the National Press Club in Washington DC on Tuesday.

She spoke about the environmental damage caused by the mining in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and her home state of Kentucky.

Judd also highlighted how the residents of Appalachia have been effected by the practice, which involves explosions that are allegedly destroying the landscape.