Hundreds of people convened the first week of June, 2011, for a “March on Blair Mountain.” 90 years earlier, miners seeking to organize themselves in the face of deplorable working conditions and wages had been met by the coal industry, and a major battle had ensued. A new, nonviolent battle continues.

The battle is enjoined as peaceful activists continue to seek redress for the following:

1. Save Blair Mountain from the threat of being demolished by the coal industry in mountaintop removal. The battlefield itself should be on the National Historical Register, and was for a short time until the WV government lobbied to have it removed.

2. Abolish mountaintop removal immediately and comprehensively across the nation. This egregious practice permanently degrades God’s creation and poisons air and water to the detriment of health.

3. Strengthen labor rights. The April, 2010 disaster at Upper Big Branch Mine simply is an example of safety being sacrificed for profit. Treating land as a commodity and laborers as a commodity go hand in glove.

4. Develop a sustainable, viable new economy. God’s intention is that communities live in harmony together with everyone contributing and everyone having his and her needs met, and the earth healthy. New jobs need to be created that are ecologically soft on the land and its people.

Photos: Top Left to Right: Crucified on a Cross of Coal; Listening to Speakers; Larry Gibson with Ken Hechler (speaking).
Bottom Left to Right: Allen Johnson (with closeup of Coal Cross) with Ken Hechler; Laura Dagley, Allen Johnson, Maria Gunnoe; Laura Dagley with Josh Fox (producer of Gasland).