Tear Gas Used on Striking Longshoremen in Seattle

July 20th, 1934

July 20th, 1934

Tear Gas Used on Striking Longshoremen in Seattle
How Long Ago?

90 years, 7 months, 23 days ago

Location

Seattle, Washington, USA

Category

Social Movements & Civil Rights

People
  • Charles H. Martin
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Tear Gas Used on Striking Longshoremen in Seattle

In Seattle, approximately 2,000 longshoremen participated in a waterfront strike demanding better working conditions. Law enforcement responded to the escalating tensions by deploying tear gas and using clubs against the striking workers. Simultaneously, the governor of Oregon ordered the National Guard to intervene at the Portland docks to restore order amid the ongoing labor conflict.

Police confronted strikers with tear gas and clubs.

Approximately 2,000 longshoremen were involved.

Oregon's governor deployed the National Guard.

Event highlighted labor struggles during the Depression.

What Happened?

The waterfront strike involving longshoremen was part of a larger wave of labor unrest that swept across the United States during the early 1930s. In Seattle, the longshoremen were advocating for improved wages and better working conditions, as their livelihoods were severely affected by the economic turmoil of the Great Depression. As their strike escalated, roughly 2,000 workers gathered on the docks to express their grievances, leading to increased tensions between laborers and law enforcement. In response to the situation, the Seattle police deployed tear gas against the striking workers, some of whom were violently confronted with clubs, demonstrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding labor rights at that time.In Portland, Oregon, a similar situation unfolded as striking longshoremen also faced law enforcement action. Governor Charles H. Martin called out the National Guard to restore order at the Portland docks, highlighting the state’s willingness to use military force to suppress labor movements. This dramatic crackdown on labor unrest showcased the growing conflict between labor unions and government authorities, as well as the lengths to which local governments would go to protect business interests during economic distress.

Why Does it Matter?

This event is significant as it illustrates the ongoing struggle for labor rights during the Great Depression era. The violent confrontations highlighted the challenges that labor unions faced in their fight for better conditions, leading to greater public awareness and eventually more organized labor movements. The events in Seattle and Portland also prompted discussions about the role of the state in labor disputes, laying the groundwork for future reforms in labor law and union recognition.

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