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Kentucky coal supporters hold demonstration in Pikeville

For many in Eastern Kentucky, coal mining is a way of life ... but many more worry what could happen to the mountains without the industry. That is why a small but dedicated group gathered by the roadside Sunday in Pike County.

Despite the numbers, the support remains strong.

"If it's just one honk, it's enough. I tell everybody, even though you might have a small crowd, it doesn't take a big crowd to move something and change something. you can take a small crowd and move a mountain," said Rebecca "Babycoaldust" Collins, the President of United For Coal.

People with the non-profit organization United For Coal stood by U.S. 119 in Pikeville on Sunday, and showed everyone their goal of keeping coal jobs in the mountains.

"If people don't rise up and open their eyes, then they're going to see their children moving away from them. Their grandchildren will be moving away from them in order to survive, in order to work," said Allen Gibson, the Founder of United For Coal.

"If you shut the coal mines down it doesn't just hurt the coal mines. It hurts every local business in that town. It hurts down to your banks, your grocery stores, your pharmacies, your doctors, your lawyers," said Collins.

Organizers say the main event for Labor Day Weekend will be Monday at the United For Coal Rally in Pikeville.

The event will have entertainment, including Marlow Tackett, and some surprise guest speakers, all of whom volunteered to attend the rally.

"They're coming here in support of their families and in support of the working people here in Eastern Kentucky," Gibson said.

Showing support for a way of life.

The United For Coal Rally will start Monday at 11 a.m. The free event will be located outside the Texas Roadhouse in Pikeville.


Source: www.wkyt.com