The Black March

In 2012 the Coal sector called for protests against the decision to reduce government subsidies to coal mining by 63 %.  These cuts meant that many will be laid off and mines will be shut down, with little has been done to create alternatives.  

In June of that year the miners called for a Black March.   A peaceful march, on foot, that involved of some 200 miners from Aragon, Asturias and Leon.  It culminated in Madrid where they were joined by hundreds of thousands of supporters who came out in a show of support and to protest the cuts. 

I photographed the Black March two days before it arrived to Madrid.  I tried to show not only the conditions, but also the spirit and solidarity between the miners and the Spanish people, as the struggle became a common struggle for justice.  

- Mara Catalán