Blair Mountain Battle Cry Renewed
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
New battle lines are being drawn for International Workers' Day today on Blair Mountain, the site of the largest organized worker uprising in U.S. history. Locals and experts are gathering to talk about the continuing battle for worker rights, and the battle to keep the mountain from being obliterated by mining. Bill Price is with the Sierra Club West Virginia.
“Ten thousand armed miners got together and decided that they had enough. And that's going on today. It needs to be preserved in order to honor that fight for justice.”
Price adds that the battle site could be an ideal tourist attraction.
“And then people from all over the nation, and in fact all over the world, would come visit Blair Mountain. But they can't come visit Blair Mountain if it's not there.”
Blair Mountain was nominated to the National Register, and has been declared one of the most endangered historic sites in America. Those backing the mining proposal say the impact to the area will be minimal.
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