With chants of “our coal, our mountains, our children and our jobs,” a crowd of over 300 gathered at the Harlan Center on Thursday to voice their support of the coal industry.

Local businessman Carl Moody, organizer of the “Coal Mining is our Future” event, said it is time to show support for the coal industry in Harlan County and southeastern Kentucky. Moody said coal is the future of Harlan County and by rallying together people can save jobs and make officials in Frankfort and Washington take notice.

“Harlan County will be a ghost town without coal,” said coal operator C.V. Bennett. “We need to take a stand, write letters to our senators, governors, President Obama to cease the attack on the coal industry.”

Bennett said it’s a shame Harlan County has 40 percent of its children living in poverty level and argues that Obama wants to put Harlan County in 100 percent poverty by taking away jobs. He said there are no other resources for Harlan County and the only way the citizens can protect themselves is to rise up and take a stand.

“If it takes a convoy to Washington, we’ll do it,” Bennett said. “We’ll not be downtrodden. It’s time we spoke out and let our voices be heard.”

Kenny Hensley, from Coldiron, said he had been a strip miner for the past five years. He said he was raised in a coal mining family.

“I’m here to support coal,” said Hensley. “We have to stand up for our family, our children.”

Harold Link, owner of Coming Up Roses, said local business people all support coal because their livelihood depends on it. He said business owners from flower shops to grocery stores, restaurants and car dealerships all know if the coal goes so do they.

“My family has a long history in the coal industry from my grandfather, Henry Shackleford, to my father, Al Link. My son-in-law and other relatives all work in the coal industry,” said Link. “We will do whatever we can to support coal.”

Arnold Hammons, general manager at Lone Mountain Processing, said it is time for local residents to share their coal heritage with family members. He said in the New Testament, Paul wrote to be ready in season and out of season.

“I would like to challenge each of us to take that same principle and apply it to our life each and every day,” said Hammons. “You need to know about the industry you are supporting, know the facts, the truth, and when you have the opportunity, whereever you are, share those facts.”

Haven King, county clerk in Perry County, said eastern Kentuckians should promote coal and be proud of the mining industry. He said he told Gov. Steve Beshear he needs to stand up for coal because we have not been getting permits and we have been losing jobs.

“I think the governor has finally stepped up,” said King. “I called Senator (Mitch) McConnell and asked if he could help us with this bill and he said nothing could be done. I refuse to accept that. President Obama wants to stop mountaintop removal. In Perry County, without mountaintop removal we’d be destroyed.”

King said if you know a politician is against coal, you should work against them. He said (Congressman) Ben Chandler is against coal and the people need to vote against him.

“Ben Chandler wants to take your jobs,” said King. “Numbers make a difference. Stand together and beat those that are against coal.”

Ben Bennett, a Harlan County coal operator, said it’s easy for people to be misinformed. He said they can stand and point their fingers at coal miners and they can write their blogs on their computers but they don’t stop and realize the very power they need to run those computers comes from coal.

“I’m a coal miner, 22 years, I’m one of you,” said Fitz Steele, a Kentucky state representative whose district includes sections of Harlan County. “You hired me to work for you and that is what I do. Those extra people the governor hired, you the citizens are paying for them. Why didn’t the governor do this two years ago.”

Steele said last year Harlan County produced 10,920,000 tons of coal. He said eastern Kentuckians help put the governor in office and in the words of an old coal miner friend of his he said the same road that brought you in here will take you right back out.

“We have to stand up for ourselves. We’ll be in a soup line if you don’t,” said Steele. “I work for you and if you need me to help you, just call me. I promise you I will call you back.”

State Sen. Brandon Smith, whose district includes Harlan County, said there is something terribly wrong going on in this nation and everyone has got to do something about it. He said we have allowed others to control us in the energy debate and it is time for a change. Smith said he was recently selected as chairman of natural resources.

“Wind and solar energy are about 2 percent of what the country is using now,” said Smith. “If you eliminate coal, they won’t be affordable energy. Their costs will skyrocket, because that will be your only option. Our message is not getting to Washington, that’s a problem. Everyone needs to take a stand and send a message, we’re mad as hell. We need to show up for these meetings and support those people who are for you.”

Magistrate Jim Roddy said the coal severance money comes back to Harlan County to build roads, water and sewage systems.

“We wouldn’t have anything in our county without coal. We have to come out and show our support,” Roddy said. “Coal is our future.”

Matt Taylor, of Catrons Creek, said he had been a coal miner for the past two years. He said coal mining is what he did for a living and how he provides for his family.

“If I lost my job, I’d lose my home, my vehicle, and I wouldn’t be able to provide for my wife and little girl,” Taylor said. “Now is the time to stand up for coal.”

Another rally in support of coal is scheduled for Nov. 28 at Harlan County High School.