Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center
FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE COALFIELDS
FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN THE COALFIELDS
The Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center is a nonprofit law firm that fights for justice in the coalfields by representing coal miners and their families on issues of black lung and mine safety and by working with grassroots groups and individuals to protect the land and people from misuse and degradation caused by extractive industries.
OHIO VALLEY RESOURCE: Coal and COVID-19: Lung Impairment Makes Miners Especially Vulnerable To Coronavirus
ACLC'S Black Lung Organizer, Courtney Rhoades, was recently interviewed for an article describing the difficulty many miners with black lung disease face during the COVID-19 pandemic. "In Letcher County, Courtney Rhoades, a black lung association organizer with the...
ACLC: Black Lung PSAs for Coal Miners
In partnership with UK-CARES, Appalshop & WMMT, SOAR, and United Medical Group, we released two PSA videos this week to provide critical information to miners with black lung disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both PSAs feature recommendations from Pikeville...
SOUTHERLY: These coal communities are protecting sick miners from COVID-19 and pushing Congress for more support
ACLC's Black Lung Organizer, Courtney Rhoades, was interviewed in this article that discusses the need to protect sick miners in coal communities and demand better policies for the future. "Courtney Rhoades is the black lung organizer for the Appalachian Citizens’ Law...
BREAKING: Black Lung Associations ask for support from congress amid COVID-19 crisis
The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Majority Leader, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510The Honorable Charles E. Schumer, Minority Leader, United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker, House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The...
ACLC Press Release: Coal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday April 23 Coal miners call on Congress for support amidst dual threats from black lung and COVID-19 Contact: Contact: Rebecca Shelton, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, 502-200-1825, rshelton@aclc.org; Willie Dodson, Appalachian Voices,...
EE NEWS: Pandemic: Social distancing isn’t novel for miners with black lung
Barry Johnson of the East Kentucky Coalfield Black Lung Association is featured in this article about how COVID-19 impacts miners with black lung disease. "Johnson said he agrees emergency response to the pandemic should be the priority. But he fears that delays in...
WASHINGTON POST: As covid-19 hits, coal companies aim to cut the tax they pay to support black-lung miners
This article - highlighting coal companies’ recent efforts to avoid paying taxes that support black lung benefits for miners during COVID-19 - features our friends Harold Sturgill, David Bounds, and Gary Hairston who are black lung association members in West...
WYMT: Weak lungs and small spaces: Coal miners face heightened risk as essential workers during COVID-19
Coal miners who have to work during the COVID-19 pandemic are at great risk for contracting the virus. Our executive director Wes Addington was interviewed by WYMT about the increased risks miners face. "'You know a lot of miners are always gonna be down wind of other...
WYMT: Eastern Kentucky law center reflects on singer John Prine
ACLC's executive director Wes Addington was interviewed about the loss of John Prine and his legacy supporting coal communities. As many of you know, Mr. Prine sent the proceeds of his recent release, "My Old Kentucky Home, Goodnight", to ACLC to support miners with...