Today in labor history May 03 Four workers were killed & “Red Raids” FBI claimed he committed suicid

[Omaha Steve]

May 03

May 3, 1886 - At the height of the movement for the eight-hour day, police opened fire in a crowd of workers participating in a general strike at McCormick Harvester Co. in Chicago. Four workers were killed and anarchists called a public rally the following day at Haymarket Square to protest the police brutality. The resulting violence – and executions that followed -- became known as the Haymarket Massacre. View an excellent website on Haymarket at http://www.chicagohistory.org/dramas/overview/main.htm

Eugene V. Debs and other leaders of the American Railway Union are jailed for six months for contempt of court in connection with Pullman railroad car strike - 1895



May 3, 1919 - Musician and activist Pete Seeger was born in Patterson, New York. He has been involved in almost every major social movement in the United States since the 1930s, including the labor movement. He carved out a career with the singing group, "The Weavers," and as a solo performer and songwriter. He also sang with Woody Guthrie. He is the author or co-author of the songs "Where Have All the Flowers Gone", "If I Had a Hammer", and "Turn, Turn, Turn," among others. In the 1950s, he was blacklisted because of his politics. He is still active, most recently denouncing the Iraq War. Read more about Pete Seeger at www.peteseeger.net/

May 3, 1920 - A young anarchist printer, Andreas Salsedo, plunged to his death from a 14th story window of an FBI detention room in New York City. He had been arrested during the notorious “Red Raids” organized by Attorney General Mitchell Palmer and was being interrogated for printing provocative leaflets. The FBI claimed he committed suicide.

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1. I believe Haymarket was a defining moment in American History

The way the corporations led by men such as Marshall Fields intimidated the media and the justices successfully led to a marriage that is still alive and kicking between corporations, the media, and government.

The execution of the Haymarket anarchists is important for all people seeking to find out how we got to where we are now. If there ever was a "fourth estate," the Haymarket Affair indicated it was murdered along with the accused.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Haymarket massacre happened on May 4

It will be tomorrows labor history item.