Lane IWW Meeting Notes

2011

Wobblie Free Speech Movement

Mid February marks the one hundredth anniversary of the 1911 free speech movement. In February of 1911, 112 freedom fighters passed through Western Oregon to defend our Constitutional right to free speech. They were not soldiers or police, they had no officers or leaders. They were not paid and they fed themselves. They were "Wobblies", members of the 6 year old all inclusive Industrial Workers of The World (IWW) labor union, riding freight cars south in defense of free speech. During the early 1900's much public discourse and labor organizing took place in the public streets. Standing on a box and speaking was called "soap boxing" much successful organizing by the IWW took place in this way. Industrialists, timber, mine, and mill owners urged municipalities to pass laws prohibiting any one but the Salvation Army or other religious groups from speaking in the streets. In protest of such a law in Spokane Washington thousands of IWW members traveled to Spokane to be arrested for speaking in the streets, filling the jails, gymnasiums, and stadiums at such a cost to Spokane that the law was repealed. Northwest Wobblies assembled in Portland for the trip south to Fresno where a similar law was enacted in hopes for repeal of the law. In Ashland, Oregon they were forced off the train and proceeded on foot over the snow covered Siskyous mountains towards Fresno. Before they could reach Fresno the law was repealed but the story of their dedication lives on. Memorial events are planned in Portland, Eugene and Ashland during February 2011. More information about the Free Speech Movement, the Wobblies, and Walk over the Siskyous can be found at the Local Libraries, IWW.org, The Oregonian , The Medford Tribune, and a research paper by Prof. Mullen of SOU.

Commerative event in Eugene will be 2:30 PM Wed. Feb. 16 at the Amtrak Station.

Lane IWW Time:		Meeting and Activity Notes Meet 2nd. and 4th. Tuesdays at Cozmic Pizza 8th. and Charnelton, Eugene 7PM
	2011 Wobblie Free Speech Movement Mid February marks the one hundredth anniversary of the 1911 free speech movement. In February of 1911, 112 freedom fighters passed through Western Oregon to defend our Constitutional right to free speech. They were not soldiers or police, they had no officers or leaders. They were not paid and they fed themselves. They were "Wobblies", members of the 6 year old all inclusive Industrial Workers of The World (IWW) labor union, riding freight cars south in defense of free speech. During the early 1900's much public discourse and labor organizing took place in the public streets. Standing on a box and speaking was called "soap boxing" much successful organizing by the IWW took place in this way. Industrialists, timber, mine, and mill owners urged municipalities to pass laws prohibiting any one but the Salvation Army or other religious groups from speaking in the streets. In protest of such a law in Spokane Washington thousands of IWW members traveled to Spokane to be arrested for speaking in the streets, filling the jails, gymnasiums, and stadiums at such a cost to Spokane that the law was repealed. Northwest Wobblies assembled in Portland for the trip south to Fresno where a similar law was enacted in hopes for repeal of the law. In Ashland, Oregon they were forced off the train and proceeded on foot over the snow covered Siskyous mountains towards Fresno. Before they could reach Fresno the law was repealed but the story of their dedication lives on. Memorial events are planned in Portland, Eugene and Ashland during February 2011. More information about the Free Speech Movement, the Wobblies, and Walk over the Siskyous can be found at the Local Libraries, IWW.org, The Oregonian , The Medford Tribune, and a research paper by Prof. Mullen of SOU. Commerative event in Eugene will be 2:30 PM Wed. Feb. 16 at the Amtrak Station.	2010 Coat x-change Benefit shows Monthly Movies and discussions. Assist various local unions with picket lines and informational campaigns
	2009 We have been meeting every two weeks and showed films on labor history and various films about health care. Read for discussion "Horizontalism" and "The Great Turning"	2008 Met every two weeks, organized an educational and entertaing May Day celebration at Growers Market. Members worked in support of ESSN/JWJ and helped other unions with picket and other support. Sent funds to the injured Rhode Island workers. One member attended organizer training in Portland.
	2007 We set up informational tables at local events, donated to the solidarity trip to Mexico, supported Teamsters on their picket lines. Organized a successful Mayday party with the local ISO and GTFF. Members work in support of ESSN/JWJ	2006 Members relieved EWEB strikers on the picket line and brought food to picketers. Members work in support of ESSN/JWJ

Meeting and Activity Notes