In a statement released following the demonstration event where the union stressed it would never stop its “campaign for justice” for those miners “abandoned” by Patriot, as well as predecessors Peabody Energy and Arch Coal, Roberts said a higher judge existed than bankruptcy court judge Kathy Surratt-States, who made the decision on May 29.

“There is an almighty judge,” he said.

“And there is a book that has the word in it.

“That book tells me you're not supposed to lie ... you're not supposed to steal ... you're not supposed to misrepresent.

“Peabody and Arch have stolen. They are liars.”

Roberts said attendees at the eighth UWMA rally came from nine US states to the Henderson County Courthouse in Henderson.

The event ended when an estimated 15 demonstrators blocked traffic in a human chain and were taken into custody.

Kentucky state representative Brent Yonts spoke on the courthouse steps on Tuesday, saying the May 29 decision was essentially “a new victory by the robber barons” and should send a clear message to Congress that a change in bankruptcy laws was needed.

Roberts said he had a message for Peabody, Patriot and the judicial system – all of whom, he said, thought they had “won” in its judgment.

“This is a movement by the people, for the people and of the people,” he said.

“We are the nurses who heal the nation, the teachers who teach the nation, the building trades who build the nation, the police who protect the nation and the coal miners who energize the nation.”

The union did not indicate if any more rallies were planned.