‘The Mine Wars’ to premiere on PBS’ ‘American Experience’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The struggles of coal miners in southern West Virginia a century ago are the subject of a film for public television.

“The Mine Wars” premieres on the PBS series “American Experience” on Jan. 26.

According to a news release, executive producer Mark Samels says the film shows a different side of the miners who worked in dangerous conditions but often were ridiculed by the rest of the country.

One focus of the film is the 1921 Battle of Blair Mountain. Ten thousands miners who had been trying to unionize marched to the town of Blair and squared off against police and hired guns. At least 16 men died before the miners surrendered to federal troops.

The film includes archival footage along with interviews with authors, historians and miners’ descendants.

 

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