Sep. 7, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

Friends of America Hosts Historic Event

HOLDEN, W.Va., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A crowd of more than 75,000 gathered in Holden, West Virginia today to celebrate Labor Day and show their support for American workers. The rally, hosted by Friends of America and sponsored by roughly 100 businesses and organizations, was emceed by Ted Nugent and featured live performances by country music stars Hank Williams Jr., John Rich and Fox News personality, Sean Hannity among others. The focus of today's rally was the threat overreaching government, environmental extremists and corrupt corporate interest pose to American labor.

"Today was a good day for American workers past, present and future," said Massey Energy Company CEO and rally organizer, Don Blankenship. "This historic event brought tens of thousands of people together to show their support for the men and women whose hard work built this country and we were proud to welcome them."

Thousands of cars began lining up outside the Harless Industrial Park before dawn and attendees traveled from as far away as Alaska to attend. Today's rally also included live performances by Blackwater Outlaws, Taylor Made and Halfway to Hazard. International Coal Group President, Ben Hatfield, climate change expert, Lord Monckton and Massey CEO Don Blankenship also addressed the crowd.

"We don't need a government that wants to shut down our coal mines," Blankenship told the crowd today. "We don't want a government that wants to increase our power bills. We don't want a government that loans our tax money to our overseas competitors and that refuses to loan money to our employers. We don't want a government that is run by people who believe they can change the earth's temperature when they can't balance a budget."

A petition in opposition to "Cap and Trade" legislation pending in the U.S. Congress circulated during today's event was signed by more 25,000 Friends of America supporters.

SOURCE Friends of America