When the 33 miners trapped in Chile were located 2,200 feet below the Earth's surface, their first question was about the fate of the fellow miners ahead of them when the tunnel collapsed.
Gilberto Vazquez Valle of Minneapolis was so struck by their spirit despite their own dire situation that he dedicated part of his weekly radio show about Latin American music and literature to the miners.
Now, a song or a poem for them is a weekly tradition on Encuentro, which airs 8-10 p.m. on Thursdays on KFAI-FM (90.3 Minneapolis, 106.7 in St Paul).
"For the first time, 11 million [Chileans] finally are realizing the working conditions of miners in their country. This is a golden opportunity to pass legislation so working conditions can improve, " said Valle, who is from Mexico.
He isn't aware of any Minnesotans with direct connections to the miners. But people everywhere have been following the saga of three rescue shafts being bored into the mountainside.
Until the miners are freed -- possibly later this month -- Encuentro will be honoring their solidarity with its own show of solidarity.
