#mining community

Paul Robeson was a singer, actor, and activist for civil rights, socialism, and for organized labor. He became politically involved in response to the rise of fascism, and social injustices. His advocacy of anti-imperialism, civil rights, and criticism of the United States government caused him to be blacklisted during the McCarthy era.

During the McCarthy era, the notorious House Un-American Activities Committee charged Robeson. The US government revoked his passport in 1950, and it was only reinstated after an eight-year legal and political battle. Without a passport, the only country Robeson could visit legally was Canada. However, President Truman issued an executive order to keep Robeson from crossing even that border in 1952 for a concert organized by Vancouver mineworkers. Still, Robeson performed anyway. He stood a foot from the Canadian border on a flatbed truck next to an upright piano. He sang and spoke to an audience of 30,000 massed on the other side.

By Martha Agas Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have decried major  challenges facing  mining  communities,  like environmental hazards and the rising number of out-of-school children. The CSOs spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja. According to them, mining communities should receive compensation for the minerals in their areas, and the benefits should not be…