Here are maps, lists, and charts detailing more than one hundred events related to IWW free speech campaigns. Beginning in 1909, Wobblies organized campaigns to resist laws or policies that limited their ability to organize and agitate in public places. Cities and towns
Some of these incidents are well known. The Everett Massacre, the lynchings of Frank Little and Wesley Eerest, the brutal deportation of striking Bisbee copper miners, the trial of Moyer, Haywood, and Pettibone, and the federal roundups that began in 1917 have been closely detailed by historians. But the full extent of what IWW organizers and members faced becomes clear here.
Below is a month-by-month list culled from the pages of the Industrial Worker and Solidarity, the most important IWW newspapers. The Date column represents either a known start date for the action or the publication date of the newspaper. The Descriptions are derived from newspaper reports and have not been independently verified. Consult yearbooks for sources and methods.
Database
| Event | Date | City | State | Description |
| Street Corner Oration Prohibited | 3/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The Spokane city council responded to successful IWW organization and chamber of commerce complaints by banning street corner orators from further reaching workers and actively denouncing organized religion. The IWW demanded that enforcement of the ban should include all organizations, including the Salvation Army. |
| IWW Members Arrested | 3/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Following the arrest of J.H. Walsh for violating the ban on street corner oration, IWW members continued to speak out and face arrest and increasing fines until the local jail was packed. |
| Spokane Grows Famous For Gag Law | 3/3/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The free speech fight has now reached Spokane as multiple I.W.W. workers were arrested for protesting. The I.W.W. had made it clear that they will continue to fight against the authorities to make sure the workers First Amendment rights are not infringed. |
| IWW in Seattle Wins Free Speech | 3/13/1909 | Seattle | Washington | A court case regarding an I.W.W. worker that was arrested for talking negatively about employment sharks was finally brought to court. They ruled that it was out of their jurisdiction and they has no power to abridge the 1st amendment right of the constitution. |
| Miners Condemn Gag Law | 3/13/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Wallace Miners' Union No. 17 passed resolutions condemning the Spokane "gag" law and began protesting against it, as well as the arrest of I.W.W. men. However, the Mayor of the city, Herbert C. Moore, sent out a notice stating that the local government had approved the law and the Regional Supreme Court would make the final decision on it. |
| Violence From Employment Shark | 3/27/1909 | Spokane | Washington | An employment shark assaulted an I.W.W. worker that was selling I.W. newspapers on a street managed by the Employment Shark Association. The man got away but continued to escalate the violence between employment sharks and the I.W.W. |
| Portland Reds can now Talk Again | 4/8/1909 | Portland | Oregon | The I.W.W. recently won their free speech battle in Oregon against the state and Employment Sharks. They were arrested for denouncing the Sharks while refusing to move off the street, which apparently is crime in Oregon. The judge ruled this statue unconstitutional but still fined the I.W.W. $2. |
| Maniac Starts Riot in Portland | 4/22/1909 | Portland | Oregon | I.W.W. organizer and speaker, E.J. Foote, was tackled off the stage during a weekly I.W.W. rally held on the streets of Portland. It was initially believed it was an employment shark but turned out a town hooligan. |
| Police Violence Against IWW Member | 4/24/1909 | Spokane | Washington | During a rally for the free speech fight in Spokane, an I.W.W. member was kicked by a policeman. The I.W.W. member, Albert Roe, was still charged $25 for "blocking the street" despite being assaulted by the policeman. |
| Vancouver Gag Law and the IWW | 5/13/1909 | Vancouver | Washington | An I.W.W. rally took place last week on a street corner in Vancouver. The speaker was fined $5 for refusing to step down from the box he was standing on and stop speaking. I.W.W. members from Seattle have traveled down to help fight the matter in court. |
| Free Speech Fight in Vancouver, B.C. | 6/24/1909 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Many different people rallied in the streets of Vancouver to protest against restrictions on free speech rights. The police quickly, and aggressively broke up the fight, targeting members of the I.W.W. and arresting them. |
| Violence Against IWW Member's Wife | 7/3/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The wife an I.W.W. worker was run over by a mall wagon during a protest. The driver did not stop to see if she was okay, making it appear as if the action was intentional. |
| Portland IWW Fights Job Sharks | 7/15/1909 | Portland | Oregon | After growing numbers of I.W.W. membership in Portland, the Job Sharks have now sought an injunction against the I.W.W. This injunction would prohibit I.W.W. members from working at these companies as well as ban the sale of the Industrial Worker. |
| Free Speech Battle | 9/30/1909 | Missoula | Montana | Two I.W.W. members were arrested in Missoula when trying to rally timber workers to ban together for better working conditions. The I.W.W. encourages every I.W.W. man to go there and speak out against this, even filling the jails if necessary. |
| IWW Battle Portland Employment Sharks | 9/30/1909 | Portland | Oregon | I.W.W. members continue to battle with the courts against the employment sharks and the police for discrimination against I.W.W. men. They are also calling for a 5000 I.W.W. member rally in Portland next year to raise wages to $3.00 for 8 hours work. |
| Jim Thompson Arrested | 10/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | After Spokane revised its street speaking ban to require licensure and exempt religious organizations, the IWW threatened to continue to defy the city council. Jim Thompson was arrested for public speaking and the IWW threatened to bring in as many speakers as necessary. |
| Free Speech Protests | 10/7/1909 | Missoula | Montana | The Missoula police have continued to assault and make arrest of I.W.W. members. They are continuing to protest every day and workers from across the country have come to join. |
| Free Speech is Won in Missoula | 10/20/1909 | Missoula | Montana | After 40 I.W.W. members were arrested, the police have finally given up the fight. There are too many I.W.W. members in Missoula who are willing to be arrested, and the cost of trials and jailing the men is becoming too high. Members are now freely speaking on the streets and selling newspapers hassle free of police. |
| Free Speech Fight in Spokane | 10/25/1909 | Spokane | Washington | An I.W.W. worker was arrested for speaking on behalf of the organization in the streets. His court date is on the 2nd, followed by street meeting that day regardless of the decision. 500 people are expected. |
| Ban Declared Unconstitutional/IWW Members Arrested | 11/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Spokane's ban on street speaking was declared unconstitutional, yet IWW members continued to take to the streets and face arrest. The local IWW were also raided and additional members were arrested, filling the Spokane jails. |
| Headquarters Raided | 11/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The city of Spokane raided the local IWW headquarters and arrested additional members, including the editors of the Industrial Worker, in an attempt to end remove IWW leadership. |
| Free Speech Fight is on in Spokane | 11/2/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The court ruled against James P. Thompson, sparking an outrage by the I.W.W. in Spokane. A mass organization has taken place across the city and many police are out trying to get people out of the streets. |
| Free Speech Fight in Spokane | 11/10/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Protests have continued in Spokane as I.W.W. members flood in from across the country. 100 have been arrested on charges of criminal conspiracy, but every street corner contains a union member speaking out freely. |
| Loggers Support Free Speech Fight | 11/17/1909 | Seattle | Washington | The loggers union of Seattle that is now 1000 strong has come together to collectively support the free speech fights in Spokane and have pledged their full support, donations and men to the cause until its over. |
| Free Speech vs. Law in Spokane | 11/17/1909 | Spokane | Washington | There was a town hall meeting held in the city of Spokane to try and resolve the free speech fight. The A F of L and Socialist party stated that they supported the principle the I.W.W. was arguing. The court cases against the other victims are to take place soon, and a highly skilled lawyer from Chicago has been brought out to represent the men in court. |
| Defense Fund Headquarters Move to Coeur D'Alene | 11/17/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The Defense Fund Headquarters of the I.W.W. has been moved to Coeur D'Alene until further notice due to the high risk of arrest in Spokane. |
| Coeur D'Alene Boycotts Spokane Beer | 11/19/1909 | Coeur D'Alene | Idaho | I.W.W. members have rallied to get the city of Coeur D'Alene to boycott all beer purchased from Spokane to protest the free speech fight. |
| Missoula IWW Boycott Goods From Spokane | 11/24/1909 | Missoula | Montana | The I.W.W. of Missoula had a mass meeting on Tuesday and decided to boycott all goods from Spokane to support the free speech fight. |
| Free Speech Fight Continues | 11/24/1909 | Spokane | Washington | A crowd of 2000 lined the streets as I.W.W. men who have been arrested during the free speech fights marched from jail to a local school for showers. As the men marched, fiery rhetoric was spoken and the crowd tried to give the men fruit, sandwiches and more. More I.W.W. men continue to pour in from around the country and arrests continue to be made. |
| Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Story of Arrest and Imprisonment | 11/30/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Rebel girl Elizabeth Gurley Flynn tells her story of being arrested during the strikes. She claims that a brothel was set up in the prison where she was being held. |
| Punishments Continue in Free Speech Fight | 12/1/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The courts have made it almost impossible for spectators to enter the court room for trials against those accused in the free speech fights. The judge has continued to sentence men to 30 days with $100 fines. Protests continue every day with many arrests. |
| News of Spokane Free Speech Fight | 12/10/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The Industrial Worker printing presses were seized by Spokane police. The police also sent out a notice to all printing establishments that they would be fined if they printed any copies of the Industrial Worker. The paper will now be published in Seattle. |
| IWW Leaders Arrested | 12/15/1909 | Spokane | Washington | Five more leaders of the I.W.W. were arrested on conspiracy charges at a town hall meeting on Tuesday. Other members have stepped up to take their positions. |
| Spokane Free Speech Defense | 12/20/1909 | Spokane | Washington | The Spokesman-Review (Spokane's official newspaper) ran an article stating that the I.W.W. surrendered and will abide by the court. This article is false, but has caused decreased participation in rallies and those willing to go to jail for the cause. |
| Spokane Free Speech Fight Continues | 1/1/1910 | Spokane | Washington | With tensions running high in Spokane about police brutality and workers' rights, a special law was passed that made it illegal for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and other labor unions to speak on the streets of Spokane. Further, every editor of the Industrial Worker (IW) newspaper for five weeks was arrested under the charge of libel. The IW is calling for a boycott of Spokane products until free speech is reestablished. |
| Details of Spokane Free Speech Fight | 1/1/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Two female members of the United Wage Workers of Washington are headed to Spokane to start a "free-speech fight." They are going to speak on the street and be jailed if necessary. The IWW is calling for other members in both articles to join them in big numbers so their voice is heard. They want the jails kept full. Also, there is a further call for boycotting Spokane goods. |
| Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Gives Speech | 1/6/1910 | Marysville | Washington | Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, IWW leader and women's rights activist, gave a speech at Arcade Hall. She talked about how industry was organized and why craft unions were futile resistance to it. Further, she denounced the freedom of speech suppression in Spokane. The audience was very receptive and $67 was raised. Flynn then left for a speech in Spokane. |
| Spokane Appeals for Funds for Legal Expenses | 1/22/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Legal cases were arising in response to the over 400 members of the IWW who voluntarily went to jail in Spokane while fighting for free speech as well as other unconstitutional acts by the Spokane police. The article was a call for donations to support the cases that the IWW was hoping would rise to the supreme court, if for no other reason than to show the working class' voice. |
| Call to Action for Free Speech | 1/28/1910 | Spokane | Washington | The IWW makes another call to fight for free speech in Spokane. The paper is calling for a large protest with 500+ men and women to speak on the streets of Spokane on March 1st. Further, it calls to start protests in all Northwest cities "to cut Spokane off the map." Papers print letters of people and groups who are on their way to support the effort, or who are making donations. The call is repeated in later issues and by February 26th, the Industrial Worker is hoping for 5000 men and women. |
| Spokane Trials | 2/1/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and Charley Filigno were tried for criminal conspiracy. Gurley Flynn was acquitted despite her active role as an agitator and orator, while Filigno was convicted. |
| Suits Filed Against Chief of Police Sullivan and Number of Patrolmen | 2/5/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Several lawsuits were filed by members of the IWW, primarily against the chief of police for the horrendous conditions they experienced while in prison. Many had been arrested for speaking on the street and fourteen men were kept in a 6'x8' cell with steam pipes. Foss, the plaintiff, was seeking damages of $30,000, alleging he couldn't work anymore after health problems he developed because of his torture. |
| Spokane Battle Continues | 2/5/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Due to the deplorable conditions of the Spokane jail, the IWW is temporarily letting up on encouraging people to speak out on the Spokane Streets with the intention of getting arrested. However, they claim to have another wave of people coming soon. |
| Chief Sullivan Arrests Men Selling Industrial Worker | 2/19/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Mrs. Fiest, a prominent Seattle physician's wife, came to support the IWW's freedom of speech in Spokane by selling the Industrial Worker (IW). Because of her status, Chief of Police Sullivan wouldn't arrest her and gave an interview saying that its legal to sell the IW on the street. Shortly after he arrested three working men for the same thing. |
| Idaho Headquarters Raided and Heselwood Arrested | 2/22/1910 | Coeur d'Alene | Idaho | Spokane police came into Coeur d'Alene, raided the Idaho headquarters, and arrested Fred Heselwood under charges of conspiracy. Heselwood was held in the Idaho prison while the courts decided if he could be extradited. Captain Burns of the Spokane police claimed to have seen him leading men into the streets in November, however Heselwood was in Seattle at the time and Burns couldn't recognize him when he came to arrest him. Burns is being charged with perjury. Spokane police keep coming to Idaho for more IWW organizers in order to stop the free speech campaign, prompting the Industrial Worker to call for more support. Influential Idaho businessmen are angry with Spokane police. |
| Gurley Flynn Acquitted, Filigno Guilty, Says Jury | 2/24/1910 | Spokane | Washington | More court proceedings from the Flynn Filigno trial are provided. After much deliberation, the jurors came to a "decision" ten minutes before the trial would have been considered a mistrial. Most believed both were innocent but were deadlocked. In order to avoid the cost of another trial, they only acquitted Flynn. |
| Proceedings of the Flynn, Filigno Trial | 2/26/1910 | Spokane | Washington | This article dominates the first and second page of the 2/26/1910 issue of the Industrial Worker (IW). It's an in-depth review of the previous six days of trial in the Flynn Filigno case in which numerous IWW members are called to testify about the atrocities of the Spokane police department. The police have good counsel and an allegedly well stacked jury sympathetic to the police. Many issues of the Industrial Worker are admitted to evidence by the Police's defense. This backfires and IWW members get to spend hours reading IW beliefs and articles to the jury. |
| Free Speech Agreement | 3/1/1910 | Spokane | Washington | A series of meeting between city officials and IWW committees brought about an agreement regarding free speech in Spokane. The IWW were allowed indoor meeting spaces, publication and distribution of the Industrial Worker, the release of jailed members, reforms of the "employment sharks" in the area ,and the promise of street corner free speech in the future. |
| Spokane Fight For Free Speech Settled | 3/3/1910 | Spokane | Washington | Finally the fight for free speech in Spokane is settled. A committee of three IWW members and city and county officials met and discussed the IWW demands. They made the following demands: 1) No discrimination or harassment in group meetings, 2) Freedom of press to sell the IW on the street, 3) The release of the IWW prisoners, 4) The right to use streets for public speaking. Demands 1-3 were granted and the 4th demand was promised to be just around the corner. In exchange, all damage suits, the Burns case, and other lawsuits were dropped by the IWW. |
| IWW Predict Free Speech Fight | 5/1/1910 | Fresno | California | Following escalating incidences of conflict between law enforcement and IWW speakers, which included the revoking of street meeting permits, the local IWW leader Frank Little predicted the outbreak of a Free Speech Fight. |
| Worker Arrested for Public Speaking | 5/22/1910 | Wenatchee | Washington | Prior to an IWW meeting, worker Roe gave a calm speech on the street in front of their meeting hall to attract more attendees. A police officer arrested him for speaking on the street, and workers Chas and Foster asked to be arrested as well for solidarity. Then the chief would not release them on bail. The mayor said the police were ok in doing this despite their being no ordinance against speaking on the street. The police then asked for a six month wait for a trial, but they did it the next day and fined the arrested workers $25 and court costs. |
| I.W.W. Invading Fresno. Police There Have Trouble With Street Speakers | 5/25/1910 | Fresno | California | Many of the IWW members who were in Spokane fighting for free speech have moved south to Fresno for the same cause. The city has banned them from speaking on the city streets. Several have already been arrested. |
| Free Speech Fight Develops in Fresno | 6/4/1910 | Fresno | California | Fresno seems to be shaping up for a fight with the IWW. The chief of police has made it illegal for anyone who is unemployed to refuse work for any reason. Further, he has banned all public speaking. The Industrial Worker is calling for men to come to Fresno to fight for free speech in the coming months. |
| Free Speech Progress in Wenatchee | 6/4/1910 | Wenatchee | Washington | Wenatchee is quickly caving under the pressure from the amount of IWW members in town. They let worker Roe go, and are only holding Foster to "save their face". |
| Fresno Police Suppress Free Speech | 8/6/1910 | Fresno | California | Fresno police are again preventing IWW members from speaking on the street, but are still allowing the Salvation Army to do so. The Industrial Worker says that Fresno can expect the aid of "all reds in regaining the privilege of free speech", although no specifics are given. Similar police actions are noted in later papers. |
| IWW Declare Fresno Free Speech Fight | 9/1/1910 | Fresno | California | The IWW used the Industrial Worker to announce an official Free Speech Fight again Fresno. Members were encouraged to travel to the city, speak on the streets, face arrest and flood Fresno jails and court systems. |
| Another Free Speech Fight, Go To Fresno | 9/3/1910 | Fresno | California | The general secretary of the IWW, Vincent St. John, has called for a free speech demonstration in Fresno like the one in Spokane. Details and dates have not been set yet. |
| Free Speech Must Be Won In Fresno | 9/10/1910 | Fresno | California | The fight for free speech in Fresno is heating up. IWW organizer Frank H. Little has been sentenced to 25 days in prison. Allegedly, the jury was corrupt and the prosecutor used three false witnesses. The Industrial Worker is calling for IWW members to begin to flood the city and practice free speech. |
| Free Speech Must Be Won In Fresno | 10/8/1910 | Fresno | California | The free speech fight is about to begin in Fresno. Many "rebels" have already arrived and are encamped on the outskirts of the city. The police are arresting speakers claiming that they are calling for anarchy, and thus violence. The hope is to get 5000 workers to join. |
| Frank Little Released From Prison | 10/8/1910 | Fresno | California | Both of these articles describe Organizer Frank H. Little's release from prison after twenty-five days. He was kept for fifteen days in solitary confinement on bread and water, and spent the last ten days in "the black hole." He filed several complaints about his treatment in prison. However, he claims his spirit is unbroken and he will continue to organize workers immediately. |
| Fresno Fight Is On: Many Men in Jail | 10/19/1910 | Fresno | California | The free speech fight is on in Fresno with men speaking in the streets. Nineteen have already been arrested. Over 250 men are in town for the fight. Another article in the paper calls for donations to help feed the agitators. |
| Free Speech News From The Front | 11/1/1910 | Fresno | California | Despite gatherings of up to 1500 interested people as reported the week before, the number of steady supporters is still not great enough. The IWW is hoping to have at least 5000 people in Fresno, and calling for more to come. |
| Fresno Fight Postponed | 11/2/1910 | Fresno | California | The free speech fight in Fresno has been postponed and all of the men in jail have been released. The fighters claimed there were not enough people. |
| Business Men in Court to Assist Authorities in Free Speech Fight | 11/24/1910 | Fresno | California | Fifty prominent businessmen of Fresno came to court to offer their help in assisting the authorities in case of emergency. Clearly the IWW is making an impression in Fresno. |
| 11/30/1910 | Fresno | California | "20 Men arrested To-day. Help!" 'Little'" | |
| Fresno Mob Attacks IWW | 12/1/1910 | Fresno | California | Following the invalidation of arrests made by Fresno authorities, a mob attacked and beat IWW members outside of the jail and torched the IWW tent headquarters located outside of the city. The IWW responded by promoting passive resistance among its members. |
| Fresno Enacts Ban on Street Speaking | 12/1/1910 | Fresno | California | Fresno officially enacted an ordinance banning street speaking. |
| 12/6/1910 | Fresno | California | "55 men now in Jail: Got to Win. Help! -J. Whyte" | |
| Violence Committed Against IWW Members in Free Speech Fight | 12/15/1910 | Fresno | California | F.H. Little was tried for Disturbing the Peace but the jury acquitted him because there was no law against speaking in public. The police were then forced to let all of the other IWW prisoners go and could not interfere with the IWW protesters anymore. However, a group of local citizens has banned together and burned the IWW camp down and beat up members. Fresno Mayor Rowell promised the mob would stop interfering with the IWW and free speech would be upheld but bashed the character of the IWW workers. |
| Violence Continues Against IWW Members | 12/22/1910 | Fresno | California | Despite the legal victory for free speech in Fresno, conditions for free speech have improved very little. A mob of local citizens continue to attack IWW protesters, and are not being stopped by the police. The Industrial Worker calls for even more workers to head to Fresno. |
| 500 Men Wanted in Fresno Immediately | 12/29/1910 | Fresno | California | There is no follow-up article on this headline, but the paper has been saturated with information about the Fresno Free Speech fight for weeks. Any semi-regular reader would understand the headline and call for more men. |
| IWW Employ Methods of Passive Resistance | 1/1/1911 | Fresno | California | Despite mistreatment in the Fresno jails, IWW members continued to employ methods of passive resistance to bans on public speaking. Members were encouraged to provoke arrest through street oration, participate in singing and other passive resistance, demand individual jury trials, challenge jury selection processes and otherwise saturate and delay Fresno courts. |
| Conviction for Association With Workingmen's Newspaper | 1/12/1911 | Fresno | California | Jack Whyte was convicted of being a reporter for workingmen's newspapers, namely The Industrial Worker, and Solidarity |
| Four IWW Members Jailed | 1/15/1911 | Fresno | California | Four IWW men who pleaded not guilty to violating a city ordinance by speaking on public streets were sent to jail for not making bail. |
| Visalia Officers Coming for Suspects | 1/18/1911 | Visalia | California | Six men were wanted in connection to a robbery. Among their possessions were newspaper clippings relating to IWW violence. Men were suspected to be heading to Fresno to take part in conflict between police and IWW. |
| Free Speech Fight in Fresno Continues | 1/19/1911 | Fresno | California | 50 men were imprisoned for publicly speaking on workers' rights. Fresno, Calif. police attacked the mob reportedly at the instruction of the mayor. |
| Convicted Murderer Pardoned for Attacking IWW Members | 1/26/1911 | Fresno | California | A man who had been convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years of prison was pardoned by a judge after he attacked IWW members in jail. |
| James Doyle Imprisoned Without Trial | 1/26/1911 | Fresno | California | James Doyle, an IWW man, was released from prison after 51 days of confinement without a trial. The judge determined there was no case against the man. |
| Free Speech Fight in Fresno | 1/26/1911 | Fresno | California | Sources confirm 115 IWW members were in jail for public demonstrations. |
| Workers in Detroit Protest Police Brutality | 1/27/1911 | Detroit | Michigan | Members of Detroit IWW protested police brutality against IWW protesters in Fresno Calif., and sent resolution to governor of California and chief of police of Fresno. |
| Secret Meetings Begin Between Citizen's Committee and IWW Leaders | 2/1/1911 | Fresno | California | A committee of Fresno citizens visited the jail to negotiate peace between the city and the IWW. |
| The Latest From Fresno | 2/5/1911 | Fresno | California | IWW members held street rallies on Feb. 9 and 12 |
| Workers Gaining Ground in Fresno | 2/16/1911 | Fresno | California | 30 IWW members had been released from jail with no trial in Fresno, Calif. 91 members were still in jail out of "130 or 135" original arrests dating back to Nov. 28, 1910. |
| A Correction and Some Facts Regarding Fresno Free Speech Fight | 2/16/1911 | Fresno | California | 122 total IWW members had arrested in Fresno, Calif., 27 plead guilty, and 27 were released without a trial. 83 non-members were also in jail for the protests. Up to this point, the most non-members is jail at one time was 105. |
| Update on IWW Group Travelling on Freight Train | 2/19/1911 | Hornbrook | California | A letter sent by an IWW member attached to the group that broke into freight cars toward Fresno reported: only 150 men were in the group, the freight cars weren't broken into but had left open, they stopped along the way to give speeches and received provisions from townsfolk along the way, they got off the train in Ashland, Ore. and walked over the pass toward California. |
| Jail Full of IWW's | 2/21/1911 | Fresno | California | The Fresno jail was to be reported full by the sheriff. 117 men were in jail and the city was running out of resources to deal with the jailed population. |
| Update on IWW Group Travelling on Freight Train | 2/23/1911 | Dunsmuir | California | The traveling group of IWW members reached Dunsmuir, Calif., but the reported number of travelers lessened to 80. The group continue south speaking publicly and rallying support from townspeople. They were often provided free food and lodging by local sympathizers. |
| Fresno Newspaper Produces False Report | 2/23/1911 | Fresno | California | Fresno newspaper falsely reported IWW leaders in Fresno jail received $3 wages while other IWW members suffer. It also reported that only 45 IWW members still remained in Fresno jail. |
| Train Captured by IWW Crowd | 2/23/1911 | Portland | Oregon | Approximately 500 IWW members broke into three Southern Pacific freight cars headed to California. Their final destination was Fresno . |
| Traveling Group of IWW Reach Redding | 2/26/1911 | Redding | California | The traveling group of IWW members reached Redding, Calif. The group was said to number 100. |
| IWW Man Beaten at Fresno | 2/28/1911 | Fresno | California | An IWW member was beaten and dragged through three city blocks as a result of public speaking. The sheriff refused to book the beaten man due to jail overcrowding. The man was suffered a broken nose among other injuries and was sent to a local hospital. |
| Open Letter to the Tax Payers of Fresno, California | 3/2/1911 | Fresno | California | An open letter to the people of Fresno stated the goals of the Free Speech Fight in Fresno and illuminated popular opinion of the time that the IWW was a group of rabble rousers. |
| Hobos Travel to St. Louis for Free Speech Fight | 3/2/1911 | St. Louis | Missouri | A group of hobos began traveling from St. Louis to Fresno upon an invitation by St. Louis IWW organizer Carl Rave to join in the Free Speech Fight. |
| End of the Fresno Free Speech Fight | 3/5/1911 | Fresno | California | IWW members and all others were allowed to speak publicly. The Fresno Free Speech Fight effectively ended. |
| End to Fresno Free Speech Fight Declared | 3/6/1911 | Fresno | California | The IWW declared complete victory in the Fresno Free Speech Fight as negotiations between IWW leadership and a citizen's committee allowed the release of all IWW members and the right to speak on the streets. |
| IWW Speakers Beaten | 3/9/1911 | Fresno | California | Fresno sheriff said the jail was overcrowded and police would not admit any more people that are charged with breaking city ordinances. In reaction, two IWW speakers were beaten by citizens and a public lynchings were threatened by another citizen. |
| Citizens Join Free Speech Fight | 3/9/1911 | Fresno | California | IWW member Joseph Sorensen lead a group of 100 citizens, only three of which were IWW members, across town to join the Free Speech Fight in Fresno. |
| Recounting the Travels of the Trainhopping IWW Members | 3/11/1911 | Chico | California | An in-depth recounting of the motives behind the IWW members hopping a train down to Fresno during the Free Speech Fight. |
| IWW Speaker Assaulted | 5/28/1911 | Newhall | California | An IWW speaker was attacked in Newhall, California. Reinforcements were called to help promote free speech. |
| IWW Speaker Arrested and Fined | 6/22/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | An IWW speaker was arrested on charge of disturbing the peace, but was released with a $50 fine. |
| IWW Members Jailed | 7/20/1911 | Walla Walla | Washington | IWW members were jailed in Walla Walla, Wash. for speaking in public. The article also suggests issues brewing in Duluth, Minn. |
| IWW Speaker Arrested | 7/20/1911 | Walla Walla | Washington | An IWW speaker was arrested for disorderly conduct and sentenced to 10 days in jail in Walla Walla, Wash. for talking to a jailed IWW member through prison bars. |
| IWW Member Arrested | 7/23/1911 | Walla Walla | Washington | Police arrested an IWW man for arguing with a prohibitionist on the street in Walla Walla, Wash. Also, "John Doe" was identified as John Smith |
| IWW Members Jailed | 8/10/1911 | Walla Walla | Washington | Two IWW members were jailed for public speaking in Walla Walla, Wash. and "free speech" has been banned in Odessa, Wash. IWW members planned to march on those two cities as well as Yakima, Wash. after the harvest. |
| Tacoma Threatens City Ordinance Against Public Speaking | 8/17/1911 | Tacoma | Washington | Tacoma threatened to pass a city ordinance against public speaking engagements that would block public streets. IWW said they would fight the law with a free speech fight the same as Spokane, Wash. and Fresno, Calif. |
| IWW Man Arrested for Public Speaking | 8/27/1911 | Ironwood | Michigan | An IWW man was arrested for public speaking, held for three weeks to await trial, then was released and had his case dismissed. |
| IWW Speakers Arrested | 8/27/1911 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | Speaker Alfred Johnson and two other IWW members were arrested in Minneapolis on charges of disorderly conduct for public speaking. |
| Persecution of IWW Men | 8/31/1911 | Denver | Colorado | An IWW man was arrested in a police effort to break up public speaking by the IWW, but it didn't stop speakers. |
| IWW Men Charged With Blocking Sidewalk | 10/18/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Six IWW men were charged with blocking the sidewalk and were told to pay $50 each to the city. |
| IWW Members Arrested | 10/26/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Speaker Frank H. Little and all who admitted IWW membership were arrested in Kansas City. |
| Free Speech Fight On | 10/26/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Seven more IWW members were arrested on charges of obstructing the sidewalk and disturbing the peace during a street speaking. |
| IWW Speakers Arrested | 11/2/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Speaker Charles Ripley and two other IWW members were arrested in Kansas City for street orating. |
| IWW Men Separated From Other Men in Jail | 11/9/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | IWW men were being kept separate from other men in the jail because police were concerned of further agitation. |
| Police Present at Street Rally | 11/9/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Five policemen showed up at street rally, moved crowd, but made no arrests despite taunts by the IWW speaker to arrest him. |
| Police Declare End to Public Speaking Arrests | 11/16/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | Kansas City police said they would not arrest any more IWW members for public speaking as long as they obey the law. |
| Fire Hoses Turned on Protesting Crowd | 11/23/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | Fire fighters turned fire hoses on a crowd of people outside of city hall protesting the arrest of five IWW speakers earlier that night. |
| Free Speech Fight is on in Aberdeen | 11/30/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | The mayor has deputized 500 men to chase out all IWW members from Aberdeen. |
| 500 Men Deputized | 11/30/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | More on the activities of the 500 deputized men and the Aberdeen police state. A curfew law was imposed and 50 IWW men were caught and released outside of the city. |
| Spokane IWW Chapter Declare Support for Aberdeen Free Speech Fight | 11/30/1911 | Spokane | Washington | The Spokane IWW chapter declared 100 men will head to Aberdeen to help in the free speech fight. |
| IWW Driven Out of Aberdeen | 12/1/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | The volunteer "thugs" succeeded in driving all IWW members out of Aberdeen, Wash. They IWW members are said to be waiting on the outskirts of town for the right time to return. |
| San Diego City Council Closes Downtown Street Speaking Area | 12/1/1911 | San Diego | California | Citing congestion, the San Diego city council closed an area of downtown that had traditionally been utilized by various radical orators. |
| IWW Man Arrested for Public Speaking | 12/7/1911 | Kansas City | Missouri | An IWW man was arrested in Kansas City for street speaking. |
| IWW Men Arrested | 12/8/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | Five IWW men were quietly arrested in Aberdeen, Wash. The local chapter suggested that any agitators making the trip to Aberdeen protest in the street so citizens can witness the injustice. |
| IWW Men Arrested | 12/8/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | Seven IWW members were arrested at the IWW hall in Aberdeen, Wash. Five were reported arrested in another account. |
| The Fight in Aberdeen | 12/14/1911 | Aberdeen | Washington | A detailed account of the changes in Aberdeen, Wash. city ordinances that led up to the free speech fight is provided. |
| Protest Planned in Solidarity With Free Speech Fight | 1/11/1912 | Oakland | California | I.W.W. members in Oakland, CA, planned a protest in solidarity with members participating in the free speech fight in Aberdeen, WA. |
| Free Speech Victory in Aberdeen | 1/17/1912 | Aberdeen | Washington | After a long struggle for free speech rights in Aberdeen, WA, the I.W.W. was able to successfully obtain the right to assemble and publicly speak. |
| Arrests Stop IWW Meeting | 1/18/1912 | San Francisco | California | An attempt to hold an I.W.W. meeting on the streets of San Francisco was thwarted by a series of police arrests. |
| Free Speech League Formed/Faced Arrest | 2/1/1912 | San Diego | California | In response to the new restrictions on street oration, a coalition that included IWW members, socialists, single-taxers and AFL members was formed and employed the IWW's tactics of passive resistance. Members spoke publically after the new ordinance went into effect and faced arrest, crowding the city jails and courts. |
| Demonstrations Held Against Free Speech Restrictions | 2/8/1912 | San Diego | California | Members of the I.W.W. and the Socialist party publicly demonstrated in San Diego in order to push back against a new city ordinance limiting free speech. |
| Demonstrators Sentenced | 2/8/1912 | San Francisco | California | Those arrested in San Francisco free speech demonstrations were sentenced to a $10 fine or 10 days in prison. |
| Demonstrators Jailed | 2/22/1912 | San Diego | California | Ninety men and women were jailed in San Diego after demonstrating against the new free speech ordinance, which took effect on February 8, 1912. |
| Parade Held to Protest Free Speech Restrictions and Jail Conditions | 2/26/1912 | San Diego | California | A large parade was held by radicals in San Diego to protest free speech suppression as well as unsanitary conditions in the jails for incarcerated demonstrators. |
| Free Speech Activists Face Vigilante Violence | 3/1/1912 | San Diego | California | A group of approximately 140 IWW members were removed from a freight train in San Diego, severely beaten, and forced to run a gauntlet by a mob of vigilantes. |
| Riots Result in Injury and Arrest | 3/3/1912 | Oakland | California | Riots broke out in Oakland, CA, after the I.W.W. attempted to stage public protests of police regulation. It resulted in several injuries and six arrests. |
| Police Disrupt Free Speech Meetings | 3/14/1912 | Oakland | California | Several attempts to use legally allowed public meeting space to protest free speech violations were disrupted by police presence. This came to a head when police broke up a regular Socialist meeting which occurred indoors. |
| Extra Police in San Diego | 3/14/1912 | San Diego | California | More police officers and more arrests have been added in connection with the free speech demonstrations occurring in San Diego. |
| Free Speech Activists Face Vigilante Violence | 5/1/1912 | San Diego | California | In response to charges of gratuitous violence repressing free speech, Emma Goldman and her manager, Ben Reitman, travelled to San Diego to lend their support. They were met by an angry mob and Reitman was abducted, beaten, tortured, forced to run a gauntlet and left outside the city limits in his underwear. |
| IWW Accused of Treason | 5/4/1912 | San Diego | California | San Diego police superintendent John Sehon attempted to gain federal aid in his fight against the IWW by accusing the group of an elaborate conspiracy to overthrow the government. |
| Street Speaking Stopped In New Bedford | 6/28/1912 | New Bedford | Massachusetts | An I.W.W. organizer speaking to a crowd of 1,500 on the streets was interrupted and forced to disperse by police officers. |
| IWW Members Arrested for Preaching Anarchy | 8/28/1912 | Cleveland | Ohio | Police arrested four I.W.W. members on August 28th in Cleveland, OH, for publicly preaching anarchy. |
| IWW Members Arrested for Public Speaking | 9/7/1912 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | Twenty I.W.W. members were arrested in Minneapolis, MN, for speaking publicly on the streets. |
| Free Speech Won in Sioux City | 01/01/1915 | Sioux City | Iowa | The city lifted its ban on the public speech of Wobblies and released all those arrested for vagrancy. |
| Sioux City Free Speech Fight Won | 04/01/1915 | Sioux City | Iowa | All IWW members held in jail were released. |
| Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Lectures | 1/21/1916 | Paterson | New Jersey | After months of struggle for free speech rights in Paterson, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn is allowed an uninterrupted speech to striking silk milk workers. |
| Lumber Organizer Jailed | 7/3/1916 | Everett | Washington | James Rowan was arrested for selling merchandise on the streets. The police wanted to stop him from speaking to the crowd. Rowan was talking about organizing the working class. He was offered 30 days in jail or to leave Everett and never come back. The jails were so horrible that he decided to give up staying in Everett. |
| IWW Members Arrested for Public Speaking | 8/22/1916 | Everett | Washington | Nineteen IWW members arrested while holding a public speech due to the ban on IWW meetings of any kind. |
| Free Speech Fight in Everett | 8/26/1916 | Everett | Washington | After James Rowan's arrest, L. Remick opened a branch of the Forest and Lumber Workers in Everett to help the shingle weavers and longshoremen. He was told to either close up his shop or be forced out. So on August 22, James Thompson spoke to the crowd. He was soon arrested for speaking on the streets. Then James Rowan was arrested for the same reason. 17 members of the IWW were arrested. 800 citizens visited the jailed men and protested the police. |
| IWW Face Discrimination from Local Law Enforcement and Landlords | 8/26/1916 | Minot | North Dakota | IWW faced discrimination as the local law enforcement destroys membership cards and land lords will not rent them hall. The IWW then asked for a boycott of the town. |
| Many Speeches Given Without Police Intervention | 9/2/1916 | Everett | Washington | The men arrested were indeed deported to Seattle. On August 28, Mrs. Magler, Edith Fernett and James Thompson spoke in Seattle and were able to raise fifty dollars. Over the next couple of days, many speeches were made in Everett without the police intervening for the labor movement and rights. |
| Decrease in Vigilante Violence | 9/23/1916 | Everett | Washington | IWW reported that the Everett vigilantes and their sheriff have cut back down on their violence. The IWW members that were arrested were released. On Friday, a meeting between 10 to 15 thousand citizens appeared to listen to condemnation of the police force, their right for free speech and to raise money. Those who were beaten in Everett are now suing the city and the sheriff. |
| Call for Aid In Everett | 9/30/1916 | Everett | Washington | Fifty workers were sent to jail without a trial and then deported from the city. 100,000 dollars worth of property has been set on fire and the IWW are being blamed for it. The IWW claim there is no proof linking them to it. The IWW ends on the note for the right to organize and exist in cities so they need funding. |
| Vigilante Committees Kick IWW Members Out of Town | 10/21/1916 | Everett | Washington | After the arrest of Rowan, the city of Everett had allowed businessmen to join up as a "vigilante committee" to stop free speech from the working class. This committee can arrest and search men. Any person carrying an IWW card is sent to jail for a night and then kicked out of Everett. The IWW is asking for money and men to help the cause. |
| IWW Members Assaulted by Armed Vigilantes | 10/30/1916 | Everett | Washington | 41 members of the IWW took passage from Seattle to Everett without breaking any laws. They had to run through a gauntlet made by the armed vigilantes. There were about 200 vigilantes that the IWW claims were drunk despite Washington state being on prohibition. |
| IWW Granted Permit for Street Meetings | 12/10/1916 | Newark | New Jersey | IWW granted a permit to hold meetings on the streets or in their halls despite the efforts of the chief of police. |
| Citizens Call for IWW Suppression in Council Meeting | 7/30/1917 | Spokane | Washington | Twenty citizens in a city council meeting requested the government take action against the IWW. The request was shot down after being considered ineffective to curbing the IWW. |
| Hungarian and Italian IWW Papers Stopped | 8/11/1917 | Hungarian IWW paper Uj Tarsadalom and Italian IWW paper Il Proletario deemed unmailable by the USPS. |