CWA President Cohen Arrested in St. Louis at Peabody Coal Demonstration

Larry Cohen, president of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and founder of Jobs with Justice, was among union, religious and community activists arrested today to protest Peabody Coal’s attack on retired workers’ health care.

Cohen brought every person in the crowd to their feet by declaring, "Every one of us, wherever we come from, have UMWA members in our hearts.”

He got the crowd chanting, "Boyce, Boyce, you can't hide, next time we'll be right inside," referring to Greg Boyce, the CEO of Peabody Energy.  "Mine Workers are the patriots, not a company that calls itself 'Patriot.'

"Our union will absolutely take this fight on as our fight," Cohen said. "We will find ways to be out here by the tens of thousands.  We absolutely understand that if the courts of this country can do this, they can do anything.

"This is something I learned standing with you in the Pittston struggle years ago," he said. "One day longer, as long as it takes," it's one day longer, as long as it takes."