"Shame On Massey" Say Protesters
Friday, July 23, 2010(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
More than 50 labor rights activists rallied outside the National
Press Club Thursday where Don Blankenship – the Chairman and CEO of mining
company Massey Energy – was scheduled to speak. “A total of 31 miners have
been killed this year at mines owned by Massey,” Peg Seminario, AFL-CIO
director of Safety and Health, told Union City. “These tragic deaths
are a direct result of Don Blankenship and Massey Energy’s repeated health and
safety violations. They need to be held accountable and take responsibility,
rather than pushing the blame onto workers!” The protesters rallied for an
hour in the midday heat, chanting “People over profit – kill no more!” and
“Shame on Massey” as they handed leaflets to onlookers. Following the rally,
a small delegation entered the building to directly ask Blankenship, “How many
workers have to die for you to follow safety laws?” –
report/photo by Adam Wright