March on Blair Mountain

New Video from the March on Blair Mountain

nick — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:23:44 +0000

Angela Wiley’s most recent video on the March on Blair Mountain!

March on Blair Mountain from Angela Wiley on Vimeo.

Audio Documentaries on the March

deag — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:34:08 +0000

Walk Beside Me – The March on Blair Mountain (Follow-up Story)

Walk Beside Me – The March on Blair Mountain by beautymountainstudio

The Many Stories of Blair Mountain (Lead-up Story)

The Many Stories of Blair Mountain (WAV) by beautymountainstudio

Share Your Stories from the March

nick — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:32:05 +0000

Do you have a favorite or memorable moment from Appalachia Rising: the March on Blair Mountain? You can now share it with the world here!

Final days & Action: The March on Blair Mountain!

Becca — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:20:07 +0000

Final days of the March on Blair Mountain from jordan freeman on Vimeo.

Breakaway march to the Blair Battlefield from jordan freeman on Vimeo.

Onward!

Becca — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 21:19:09 +0000

Onward!: March on Blair Mountain from Angela Wiley on Vimeo.

They Won’t Keep Us Down

grace — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:47:35 +0000

They Won’t Keep Us Down from Grace Wang on Vimeo.

For 5 days, hundreds marched through West Virginia from Marmet to Blair, following roughly the same route the original marchers in 1921 took. On Saturday June 11, The March on Blair Mountain arrived atop Blair Mountain. Along the way, marchers sang songs such a “They Can’t Keep Us Down” by Hazel Dickens as they walked.

Visit www.marchonblairmountain.org for more information.

The Top of Blair Mountain – Rally Speeches

Nickname — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:12:25 +0000

Which Side Are You On?

Which Side Are You On? by beautymountainstudio

Junior Walk

Junior Walk by beautymountainstudio

Jimmy Weekly

Jimmy Weekly by beautymountainstudio

Maria Gunnoe

Maria Gunnoe by beautymountainstudio

Dustin Steele

Dustin Steele by beautymountainstudio

Paula Swearengin

Paula Swearengin by beautymountainstudio

Vickie Terry

Vickie Terry by beautymountainstudio

Joe Stanley

Joe Stanley by beautymountainstudio

Bill Price

Bill Price by beautymountainstudio

Mickey McCoy

Mickey McCoy by beautymountainstudio

Brandon Nida

Brandon Nida by beautymountainstudio

Photos from the Rally and Day of Action

harvard — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 03:58:36 +0000

Today, hundreds of marchers met with ralliers in Blair, West Virginia and marched up to Blair Mountain. They totaled almost one thousand, lining the side of the road and winding their way all the way down the mountain. Today signified a crest in the anti-mountaintop removal movement and the fight to save Blair Mountain. Marchers vowed to continue the struggle until Blair Mountain was preserved, and West Virginia and Appalachia saw a sustainable job future, stronger labor rights, and an end to mountaintop removal coal mining. Here are some photos from today.

Day 6: 1000 People Rally in Blair, WV., March to Crest of Blair Mountain

Becca — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 19:47:47 +0000

Over 1000 people rallied at the base of Blair Mountain today for the protection of the historic battlefield and mountain. Robert F. Kennedy spoke about the destructive practice of mountaintop removal, and country musician Kathy Mattea performed in support of protecting Blair Mountain.

Chuck Nelson, an UMWA underground miner for 21 years stated, “Here we are 90 years later and we’re still fighting the same issues―unsafe conditions in non-union mines. I worked underground for 21 years and UMWA was the best friend a miner could have. We’re going to save Blair, Coal River Mountain, Twilight, communities in eastern Kentucky, and Ison Rock Ridge. We’re going to save all these communities because we’re rising to a new level.”

Upwards of 1000 people marched to the crest of Blair Mountain following the rally, and picketed at the top in support of ending MTR, preserving Blair Mountain, strengthening labor rights, and investing in a clean, local economy for central Appalachia.

Dustin Steele, Matewan W.Va. native spoke at the picket, “We’re in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters. Appalachia has carried the energy sources of this country on our backs for 150 years. It’s time you [the rest of the country] gave something back. The transformative movement starts here. We’re going to save Blair Mountain, stop MTR and break the control of the extractive industries.”

Maria Gunnoe, of Boone County W.Va reminded ralliers that, “No particular industry owns our mountains.”

Over 150 people then marched onto the Battlefield that miners fought on 90 years ago, calling for protection of the site due to its historical significance. A single participant was arrested for placing a memorial sign at the 1921 battlefield. He was released 5 hours later without needing to pay bail.

Also check out this great video on the important connections between the March on Blair and the labor movement

Day 5: We Arrive in Blair at Last

nell — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:14:40 +0000

On Friday, June 10, marchers walked the final few miles of the march to Blair mountain, arriving at Blair around 6 pm. There they set up camp and enjoyed a pizza dinner, relaxing and singing.

Yesterday afternoon a group of marchers worked together to move a series of large rocks which had been placed in the way of a parking space at the top of Blair Mountain. Despite an increasing number of counter-protesters yesterday, marchers continued toward Blair in good spirits. The weather was milder than it had been in the past days, and the excitement of arriving in Blair was palpable throughout the day.

Over one thousand people are expected at the march’s culminating rally, scheduled for 10:30 this morning.