While miners impacted by the Blackjewel bankruptcy continue to protest at the Cloverfield Mine in Harlan County, local and state representatives have turned out to show their support for the miners and their families.

Friday, Minority House Leader Rocky Adkins joined the miners to discuss the ongoing issue. He said the miners are part of the hardest working workforce he has ever known.

“We need to do everything we can as Americans. At the federal government level to the state government to the courts' system. Whatever process needs to be taken that these miners are put as the top priority, and on the front-burner, to be given the money that they have earned," Adkins said.

He said Blackjewel's treatment of the miners is "completely wrong."

"Many of them about to lose their homes, about to lose their cars," he said. "Many already talking about packing their bags to move, to try to find another job."

He said it's a hard situation for the miners and the region.

"That's really sad for our region when we're seeing the depopulation of our region- and not having the hope and the opportunity that people deserve," he said.

He said the miners have worked hard, put in their hours, and deserve the money they have earned for doing so.

"I'm here to show my support. I'm here to make sure that they know that I'm shoulder-to-shoulder with these miners, to make sure that they are compensated for what they're due," Adkins said.

He said he wants to see those who are to blame for the situation held accountable because they have stripped the miners of their livelihoods.

"They work hard. And they want a job. And they want to be able to put food on their table and a roof over their head," he said.

Adkins said he hopes to see more than just an answer to the paychecks the miners have already earned. He hopes to see them getting back to work.

"Hopefully, through this bankruptcy court, somebody can come in here and revive these mines and put these people back to work - put these miners back to work," he said. "That's really what they want. They don't want to be standing out here on these railroad tracks. But they are, to try to get what they've earned."