Wilmington in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Blood

Longshoremen Strike

— May 15, 1934 —

First Blood Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 15, 2021

1. First Blood Marker

Inscription.
This memorial plaque commemorates the early struggle of West Coast Longshoremen to establish hours, wages, and working conditions. It specifically recalls the day, May 15, 1934, when fighting broke out on the waterfront near this site, between strikers, strikebreakers, guards and police. The fights, which closely followed a May 9th walkout, resulted in the deaths of two strikers and injuries to at least 25 other men, including two policemen.

It was the first of a series of similar violent confrontations that would lead to a general strike at West Coast ports before full recognition and acceptance of the Longshore Union's position.

Those confrontations included a grievous incident in San Francisco on July 5, 1934, during the strike, which also resulted in the loss of two lives and has since been commemorated by all West Coast Longshoremen annually on that date as "Bloody Thursday".

The placing of this plaque is equally important as a tribute to the high degree of harmony that has been achieved by waterfront labor and management to the greater efficiency of the ports they serve and to the benefit of all who enjoy the economic health generated by efficient port operation.

Donated and erected by the "Port of Los Angeles" 1985.
Recreated

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and rededicated May 15, 2013.

Erected 1985 by Port of Los Angeles.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1934.

Location. 33° 46.276′ N, 118° 16.081′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Wilmington. It can be reached from the intersection of C Street and Neptune Avenue. Located in Wilmington Waterfront Park, near the southeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 628 W C St, Wilmington CA 90744, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wilmington Pioneer Wagon Train Seaport (approx. 0.4 miles away); Memory Chapel (approx. 1.1 miles away); Drum Barracks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Powder Magazine at the Drum Barracks (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Drum Barracks (approx. 1.1 miles away); Banning Residence Museum (approx. 1.3 miles away); Der Wienerschnitzel (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Banning Residence Museum (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 15, 2021

2. First Blood Marker

Confrontation between a policeman wielding a night stick and a striker image. Click for full size.

U.S. National Archives via Wikimedia Commons, 1934

3. Confrontation between a policeman wielding a night stick and a striker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 485 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on June 25, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.