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On June 10th, hundreds of protestors completed a grueling 50-mile multi-day march to Blair Mountain, West Virginia, to demonstrate against mountain top removal, strengthen labor rights, and transition to a sustainable economy. The protesters traveled along the same route that coal miners took when they marched to Blair Mountain in 1921. Blair Mountain was the site of the largest armed uprising in U.S. history since the Civil War. The battle between about 10,000 coal miners and the coal industry’s hired gunmen was a landmark event in the labor struggle of the early 20th century. Mountain top removal is an extremely destructive method of coal extraction, requiring blasting off mountain tops in order to reach coal seams. It has become a central issue in the conflict between the coal industry and environmental justice movement. The Appalachian Mountains are the epicenter of this struggle. Mining operations have destroyed about 500 mountains, buried thousands of miles of creek bed, and contaminated air and water with arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals. While the coal industry claims it is a job creator, it has increased coal production by 140% over the last 30 years, while eliminating 40,000 jobs in West Virginia. Massey Energy, the 3rd largest coal company in the U.S. is a major player in the Appalachian coal industry. It was acquired by Alpha Natural Resources on June 1st for $7.1 billion. Massey Energy features heavily in The Last Mountain, a new documentary directed by Bill Haney, exploring the politics of coal, how communities are affected, and the potential solution of a wind revolution. The film features sweeping aerial views, conversations with executives, and dramatic footage of civil disobedience by activists.

GUEST: Bill Haney, director of The Last Mountain

*There will be an exclusive screening of The Last Mountain in Los Angeles on June 15 at The Landmark, 10850 W Pico Blvd in LA. The film will expand on June 17 to Laemmle’s Playhouse 7 in Pasadena, Laemmle’s Town Center 5 in Encino and Edwards’ University Town Center 6 in Irvine, with a nationwide roll-out to follow.