San Pedro Pays Tribute to a Century of Solidarity: IWW Centennial Commemoration Marks a Legacy of Labor Struggle and a Re-Envisioning

Event beginning: Historic IWW Hall (now La Serenita market) 291 12th St., San Pedro

San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice and Codepink San Pedro are organizing a Centennial Commemoration of the violent attack in 1924 on the union hall of the IWW, the International Workers of the World, by the Ku Klux Klan. 

The IWW were holding a fundraiser for the families of two railroad workers who had been killed, when the KKK attacked the building, beating one woman so severely, she succumbed to her injuries two months later, throwing hot scalding coffee on several children, destroying the hall, and tar and feathering IWW leaders and taking them to the desert to die. 

After this occurrence, the KKK were able to secure funds and support to build an enormous headquarters in San Pedro, a building which still stands today, near 10th St. and Cabrillo Ave.

June 14, 2016: The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)

“June 14, 1924, the Ku Klux Klan attacks men, women, and children at an IWW hall in San Pedro, California. The violent attack would leave one woman dead, two children badly burned and scores of others injured from clubbing and being tarred and feathered. Sadly, no one was ever charged with these terrible crimes.” http://tinyurl.com/UAW-Facebook-page

The commemoration will begin promptly at 1 p.m. at the corner of 12th St and Centre Ave. CD-15 councilmember Tim McCosker, as well as Vice-President of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission and ILWU honorary member, Diane Middleton, and group historian, Carrie Scoville, will speak. There will be a land acknowledgment and blessing of the space, historical readings by area students and a historical photo exhibit.

Following will be a .8 mile procession to the building near 10th St. and Cabrillo Ave. that was built as a KKK headquarters in 1925. The space will be acknowledged, and participants are encouraged to engage in discussion.

Exterior view of the I.W.W. hall in San Pedro, California after it was destroyed by
members of the Ku Klux Klan.

(5266) Violence, San Pedro Hall, San Pedro, California, 1924
Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University
Posted March 30th, 2017 by eclemens
https://reuther.wayne.edu/node/13683

There will be an historical analysis of the KKK’s evolution through American history, society and politics to today. The event will end with a re-envisioning of the space, as well as a commitment to community relations based on equality, justice and non-violence.

Time: 1 to p.m., March 3

Cost:  Free

Details: 310) 971-8280; sojournerrb@yahoo.com

Venue: Historic IWW Hall (now La Serenita market) 291 12th St., San Pedro