John Gaventa elaborates on initial findings from the 1971 land ownership study and what transpired in response. With documented evidence of inequitable corporate control over land and natural resources (due in large part to unfair property taxation practices and the absence of proper mineral rights assessment), local citizens sought legal action. These included (but were not limited to) J.W. Bradley, Marie Cirillo, and Billy Christopher, with additional support from Save Our Cumberland Mountains (SOCM). They recruited an attorney, Charles Merritt, to represent their case before the Tennessee State Board of Equalization. Follow this link for access to the full-length interview.
Recorded October 2021.