Just over $9,000 has been collected so far. The fund will cover the initial costs for attorneys, other legal fees, and any public defense efforts that may be necessary. The funds are needed upfront to prepare for any eventuality. Collecting the pledges as early as possible, and raising new contributions to bridge the gap toward the goal, is key now.

The lawsuit, filed by the mine owners on September 24, is aimed at taking the focus off the fight of the miners to win union representation by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA). It is also aimed at harassing unions and other groups that have supported the miners’ union organizing struggle, and media outlets that have covered the fight, as well as discouraging others from doing so.

Defendants in the suit include the Militant, its editor, its web administrator, and 20 of its reporters who have written articles on the Co-Op struggle. In all, 120 organizations and individuals—including the UMWA, 17 Co-Op miners, the Catholic church, and the two main dailies in Utah—are named in the 76-page suit, accused of “unlawful labor practices” and “defamation” against the company.

The Militant has had a proud record of covering this labor struggle. It has carried articles in 55 of its 58 issues since the union organizing fight began and will build on this record with the same accuracy and making no bones about its support for the miners.

While it is important not to be thrown off by the mine bosses’ nuisance suit, it’s something else to take frivolously what may develop. Raising the funds now is necessary for a serious preparation to confront whatever legal and other steps the Militant may have to take in coming weeks.

Contributions should be sent to: The Militant, 306 W. 37th Street, 10th floor, New York, N.Y. 10018. Please write checks or money orders to The Militant and earmark them “Militant Fighting Fund.”  
 
 
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