Embarcadero in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
In Memory of Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise
“An Injury To One Is An Injury To All”
— Bloody Thursday, July 5, 1934 —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 12, 2008
1. In Memory of Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise Marker
In memory of Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise, who gave their lives on Bloody Thursday, July 5, 1934, so that all working people might enjoy a greater measure of dignity and security.
Sperry and Bordoise were fatally shot by San Francisco police at the intersection of Mission and Steuart Streets, when longshoremen and seamen attempted to stop maritime employers from breaking their joint strike. Community outrage at these killings sparked a general strike by all San Francisco unions.
The maritime strike continued through the middle of summer, concluding with a union victory which brought decent conditions to the shipping industry and set the stage for the birth of a strong and democratic labor movement on the west coast.
"An Injury To One Is An Injury To All"
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 1868.
Location. 37° 47.602′ N, 122° 23.593′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in Embarcadero. Marker is on Steuart Street near Mission Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94105, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Audiffred Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Getting Around
this page online
Also see . . . Longshore union remembers pivotal 1934 strike. The San Francisco Chronicle's July 6, 2008 article on strike and the ILWU's related commemorative events. (Submitted on January 3, 2010.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 12, 2008
2. In Memory of Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise Marker - Wide View
The marker is mounted on the wall of the Hotel Vitale. This view, taken looking across the intersection of Mission and Steuart Streets, shows the Hotel Vitale, with an ILWU mural-scuplture visible on the corner, with the marker being just a few steps to the left of the marker (mostly obscured by the pole holding the Mission Street sign).
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, July 12, 2008
3. ILWU Mural-Sculpture Honoring Bloody Thursday
Painted in 1985 by an artist's collective, this mural-sculpture was placed by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union near the Sperry and Bordoise Memorial (which consisted of the pictured plaque, mounted on a stone monument). When the Hotel Vitale was built in 2004, the sculpture and plaque were moved a short distance and re-erected, with the plaque now mounted on the wall of the hotel.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 4,593 times since then and 116 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week June 26, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2010, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
