Spanish Miners Protest EU Order on Coal Handouts

Miners in Spain continued their protest of the EU decree that will force their government to phase out coal industry handouts by next year.

Dozens of coal miners just spent their 20th night underground in northern Spain voluntarily. Hundreds more are joining the cause in strikes across the country.

In the town of Villablino 200 men dressed in blue jumpsuits and strapped their helmets on before lining up in two rows and heading to the highway. They are protesting the actions against the coal mines which have been the main stay of the region for more than a century.

Singing the traditional miner's song, "Blessed Saint Barbara" these miners have begun the 8 day march to the provincial capital city of León in the south. The Black March is a show of anger which is a part of a string of protest that began weeks ago.

The European Commissions' crackdown is seen as long overdue but the miner's political clout has seen politicians unable to shut down high cost and low quality productions. A number of other strikes are also expected to begin today across Spain.