FACES of Coal, the Kentucky Coal Association, the West Virginia Coal Association, the Virginia Coal Association, Friends of Coal, the MTM Coalition, Coal Operators and Associates and other interested parties have banded together to facilitate a pro-coal rally and press conference in Washington, DC on September 15, 2010.
The purpose of the rally is to draw attention to the plight of the communities who rely on coal and coal mining and to send a clear message to Congress, the White House and the EPA that the people of Appalachia will not stand by and allow an activist administration destroy their livelihoods and their communities.
The rally will garner media coverage and secure Hill visits with key Members of Congress to highlight the importance of coal to not only Appalachia, but for all Americans.
Logistics Update
Crowd generation and Bus Locations
State coal associations and affiliated organizations have committed to securing participants. "Bus Captains" in each location are responsible for recruiting securing firm commitments to fill buses from the following locations:
*Each bus holds approximately 50 people
Logan, WV: 2 Buses
Hazard/Pikeville, KY: 2 Buses
Wheeling/SE Ohio/SW PA: 1 Bus
Lexington, KY: 1 Bus
Southwestern VA: 1 Bus
Lodging, Catering, Local Transportation in DC
150 hotel rooms have been reserved in the Tysons Corner area (8 miles from DC) with an option to reserve an additional 50 rooms if necessary.
Catering for attendees:
Buffet-style dinner at the hotel will be set-up and available from 70in on the evening of the 14th.
The hotel is providing breakfast for all guests on the morning of the 15th.
Buses will depart from the hotel at 7am on the 15th to travel to DC. Passengers will disembark near Union Station and walk across the street to the Rally site at Russell Park.
Rally Site Update and Logistics
Permits with the Capitol Hill Police have been secured.
Stage and A/V have been secured.
The formal program/speaker lineup is being finalized.
Confirmed Congressional Attendees/Speakers to date:
Rep. Capito
Rep. Rahall
Invitations are being sent to Congressional delegations of WV, KY, VA, OH, PA, and all Congressional Coal Caucus Members.
Collateral Material
Press kits and Congressional information kits are being developed.
Signage for rally attendees being planned.
Pre-Rally Media
Dual Press Conferences in Lexington and Charleston to announce the Rally in Washington planned for week of August 30.
Rally-Day Media
All relevant media will be alerted to the rally. One-on-one interviews will be offered to media outlets. Fully coordinated media outreach campaign to garner the maximum positive press coverage.