( - promoted by Wabi-Sabi)
At The WV Labor History Week Coalition meeting on Saturday, August 14, 2010, the mood was positive and the news was good.
More than forty labor history volunteer/activists attended, and the fast paced agenda wasn't the only item that seemed to please everyone. The update on WV HCR 58, Labor History Week Resolution reported early on by chairman Bill Ramsey (from Clarksburg WV) set the tone.
By that resolution state lawmakers show their resolve to promote awareness and understanding of labor history by designating the annual observance of the week following the Labor Day Holiday as Labor History Week. It also encourages both public and private schools to provide instruction on labor history, particularly West Virginia labor history, during Labor History Week.
Authored and originally introduced to the Government Organization Committee Agenda by Christopher J. Williamson as H.B. 4343, it is now H.C.R. No. 58, thanks to Del. Mary Poling, D-Barbour, who introduced and sponsored it in response to a request from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Larry Matheny.
The entire resolution may be viewed at this link.
WV AFL-CIO pres. Kenny Perdue addressed Saturday's meeting at the Marriott in downtown Charleston about the importance of teaching labor history in general, and about the Battle of Blair Mountain in particular, including why more West Virginians should be made aware of what it was all about. He remarked that it is astounding how many West Virginians don't know anything about Blair Mountain.
During the meeting, Blair Mountain activist Tom Rule extended an invitation to all attendees to a party on Labor Day Saturday (that's Saturday, September 4). Hosted by the Friends of Blair Mountain, he said that it would be more of a party atmosphere than that of a protest normally associated with past Blair Mountain rallies.
Local individuals and groups are all welcome, to celebrate and promote the importance of not just preserving that mountain, but developing it into a national monument. One worthy of commemorating the entire battlefield as it represents West Virginia's crucial role in advancing the entire U.S. labor movement.
The Friends of Blair Mountain Labor Saturday Do-ins will be at The Whipple Store, a museum which itself is steeped in labor history, because it was originally a major coal company store.
Although the museum hours are longer, the party is set from 1pm 'til 5, so come early and plan to stay late. Everyone from rednecks to greeniacs, from local activists of one stripe to acclaimed activists of another will all be celebrating together that Blair Mountain still even exists, despite the dark forces of the land companies, coal operators, and the filthy state coalocracy supported by too-slick politicians of both political parties.
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