Illinois coal reserves are massive, and the state is solidly organized by the United Mine Workers of America. But now coal companies are buying up Illinois land and withholding production in hopes of weakening environmental regulations and the union before the next boom in coal production.

About 5,800 of the state’s 16,000 coal miners joined the recent wave of strikes—the most extensive anywhere since the 110-day national strike ended in March 1978. According to a UMWA official this shutdown was the largest Illinois miners’ strike in five years.

The strike began at Old Ben Coal Company Mine Number 27 near West Frankfort. On September 12, a repairperson was suspended after he refused to substitute for a roof bolter because he wasn’t trained for the job. Roof bolting is one of the most dangerous coal-mining jobs.

Two other miners were also suspended that day for also refusing to run the roof bolter.

As news of the suspensions spread, miners began to throw up picket lines. Then Old Ben fired five miners for picketing. This sparked more walkouts that eventually shut down fifteen mines in the area.  
 
October 18, 1954
The wave of bombings of Negro homes continues throughout the country. The series of bombings in Fort Worth, Texas and in Coronado (near Norfolk) Virginia remain “unsolved.” On October 9 another bombing took place in Sacramento, Cal.

In most bombings the police hardly pretend to hunt for the racist criminals, nor do they disguise their hostility to the bombed Negro family for moving into the lily-white area. But a new pattern has emerged in Louisville, Kentucky. There arrests have been made, heavy sentences are threatened—but the arrested are the friends and defenders of the bombed-out Negro family.

Last May Andrew Wade decided to do something about his family’s housing plight. He bought a home in a white area. He bought it through a white couple active in the fight against discrimination. When the Wades moved in racist elements in the area were furious. The next night a fiery cross was burned nearby, rocks were thrown through the windows and six shots were fired into the house.

When the police arrived they showed where they stood by arresting Wade and a friend.  
 
 
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