News Article

On September 15th, 1917, US Department of Justice agents raided forty-eight meeting places, situated all over the country, of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World). In total, 165 IWW leaders were arrested. They were charged with starting labor disputes, hindering the draft, and encouraging desertion from the army.

All of the leaders were given 20 year jail sentences, even the ones who had recently joined the large union. The IWW is known for strongly opposing wars. The large union spreads anti-militaristic propaganda when no wars are being waged, and so when a war starts, many people are on their side. Strangely, there was no public outcry against the raids. Despite the IWW’s tactic described above, the public has largely supported what the Department of Justice has done.

One of the arrested leaders describes his experience. “We were sitting at a table discussing the latest news and what we should do about it when suddenly the door to the hall burst open and twenty or so armed men rushed into the room. They were yelling and screaming for us to get on the ground. I was slammed against the table and roughly hauled away. It is so unfair! We have not broken any laws, and no evidence was shown to us. I think Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis is in league with the government. He convicted us all.”

“I don’t see why some people are so surprised about this. They broke the law and consequently they are going to jail,” reports Judge Kenesaw. “Right now we need all the men we can get to fight this war and conquer the Nazis. We have enough problems overseas, so the last thing we need is internal problems, like the protests the IWW is organizing. They are a thorn in this country’s side, keeping this nation from its maximum efficiency on the battlefield and in the factories.”