Missoula in Missoula County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Free Speech Corner
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 11, 2018
1. Free Speech Corner Marker
Inscription.
Free Speech Corner. . In autumn 1909, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organizers Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and Jack Jones arrived in Missoula, soon followed by there comrade Frank Little. After renting space for a union hall, they took to the streets, determined to spread "the glad tidings of a great revolutionary union" to Missoula's working class. From this corner, they demanded union hiring halls for timber workers while preaching the destruction of capitalism, worker control of production and workplace-centered democracy. On September 28, 1909, the police arrested Little and Jones for violating Missoula's long-ignored ban of public speaking. Flynn immediately put out a call for additional speakers. Her goal was to fill the Missoula jail and cost the city so much money and trouble that it would agree to allow the IWW to continue organizing. During the next week, over seventy IWW speakers were arrested, including the pregnant Flynn. On October 8, faced with overflowing jails, increasing expenses, and a growing public relations nightmare, the city council capitulated. The IWW had secured its right to speak, a lasting victory for the First Amendment.
In autumn 1909, Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) organizers Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and Jack Jones arrived in Missoula, soon followed by there comrade Frank Little. After renting space for a union hall, they took to the streets, determined to spread "the glad tidings of a great revolutionary union" to Missoula's working class. From this corner, they demanded union hiring halls for timber workers while preaching the destruction of capitalism, worker control of production and workplace-centered democracy. On September 28, 1909, the police arrested Little and Jones for violating Missoula's long-ignored ban of public speaking. Flynn immediately put out a call for additional speakers. Her goal was to fill the Missoula jail and cost the city so much money and trouble that it would agree to allow the IWW to continue organizing. During the next week, over seventy IWW speakers were arrested, including the pregnant Flynn. On October 8, faced with overflowing jails, increasing expenses, and a growing public relations nightmare, the city council capitulated. The IWW had secured its right to speak, a lasting victory for the First Amendment.
Erected by Montana Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights
Location. 46° 52.218′ N, 113° 59.73′ W. Marker is in Missoula, Montana, in Missoula County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of North Higgins Avenue and West Front Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 111 North Higgins Avenue, Missoula MT 59802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Women , at the Socialist Club in Harlem. As a result of her political activities, Flynn was expelled from high school.(Submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
2. Frank Little -- Spartacus Educational. Little joined the Industrial Workers of the World in 1906 and took part in the free speech campaigns in Missoula, Fresno and Spokane and was involved in organizing lumberjacks, metal miners and oil field workers into trade unions... In the summer of 1917, Little was helping organize workers in the metal mines of Montana. This included leading a strike of miners working for the Anaconda Company. In the early hours of 1st August, 1917, six masked men broke into Little's hotel room in Butte. He was beaten up, tied by the rope to a car, and dragged out of town, where he was lynched.
(Submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Unknown
3. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
Photographed By Unknown
4. Frank Little
Photographed By Solidarity
5. Copper Trust to the Press: "It's all right, pal; just tell them he was a traitor." Solidarity (11th
Solidarity (11th August, 1917)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 16, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
