On this day in Labor History the year was 1916.
That was the day when what came to be known as the On this day in Labor History the year was 1916.
That was the day when what came to be known as the Everett Massacre took place in Washington State.
The Everett Shingle Workers Union had gone out on strike in May.
Organizers from the Industrial Workers of the World came to the area to support the strike and to make a stand for free speech.
Over the summer tensions began to mount.
The police began to arrest IWW speech makers.
Then, in August, violence erupted between strike breakers and picketers at the Jamison Mill.
The IWW decided to bring in a group of about 300 members for free speech rally.
They came from Seattle by two steamer boats.
But the first boat was met at the docks by the sheriff and a large group of armed deputies.
A gun battle broke out.
One passenger, Ernest Nordstrom told the harrowing tale of what happened to the Seattle Union Record saying, “I couldn’t swear to where the first shot came from, but as it comes to me I thought the first shot was a warning shot not to go ashore. After that there were shots—gee whiz—all kinds of shots, and when they commenced all ran to the other side and the boat began to tip.”
“I am sure there is no excuse for this whatsoever-there need have been no bloodshed.”
The passenger avoided capsizing the boat, and turned around to flee back to Seattle.
At least five IWW members on board were killed, along with two of the deputies.
After the violence, the Shingle Workers union called off their strike.
74 IWW members were arrested, but only one stood trial. None were convicted.
“I am sure there is no excuse for this whatsoever-there need have been no bloodshed.” took place in Washington State.
The Everett Shingle Workers Union had gone out on strike in May.
Organizers from the Industrial Workers of the World came to the area to support the strike and to make a stand for free speech.
Over the summer tensions began to mount.
The police began to arrest IWW speech makers.
Then, in August, violence erupted between strike breakers and picketers at the Jamison Mill.
The IWW decided to bring in a group of about 300 members for free speech rally.
They came from Seattle by two steamer boats.
But the first boat was met at the docks by the sheriff and a large group of armed deputies.
A gun battle broke out.
One passenger, Ernest Nordstrom told the harrowing tale of what happened to the Seattle Union Record saying, “I couldn’t swear to where the first shot came from, but as it comes to me I thought the first shot was a warning shot not to go ashore. After that there were shots—gee whiz—all kinds of shots, and when they commenced all ran to the other side and the boat began to tip.”
“I am sure there is no excuse for this whatsoever-there need have been no bloodshed.”
The passenger avoided capsizing the boat, and turned around to flee back to Seattle.
At least five IWW members on board were killed, along with two of the deputies.
After the violence, the Shingle Workers union called off their strike.
74 IWW members were arrested, but only one stood trial. None were convicted.
“I am sure there is no excuse for this whatsoever-there need have been no bloodshed.”
April 8 - John L. Lewis Takes on Henry Ford
April 7 - Flora Tristan is Born
April 6 - Rose Schneiderman is Born
April 5 - Massey Mine Explodes, pt. 2
April 4 - Massey Mine Explodes, pt. 1
April 3 - Lincoln Freed the Slaves, Ford Brought Them Back
April 2 - Trouble in the Sweetest Place on Earth
April 1 - The Promise of 1946
March 31 - Hospital Workers Stand United
March 30 - 15th Amendment Adopted
March 29 - West Coast Hotel v Parrish Decided
March 28 - Partial Meltdown at Three Mile Island
March 27 - FE Strikers Battle Police at Harvester
March 26 - Police Attack UE Amid ‘46 Strike Wave
March 25 - Centralia Coal Mine #5 Explodes
March 24 - Exxon Valdez Runs Aground
March 23 - Texas City Refinery Explosion Kills 15
March 22 - ERA Passes the Senate
March 21 - Truman Signs Loyalty Order
March 20 - Another Deadly Explosion
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