Pullman Debs

On July 2, 1894, the federal government weaponized the courts to crush the Pullman Strike.

A court injunction ordering Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union to stop the boycott under the guise of protecting interstate commerce and U.S. mail delivery was issued. By turning a strike for fair wages into a federal offense, the legal framework for President Grover Cleveland to deploy federal troops was put in place.

It reminds us that the fight for American freedom wasn’t just fought on Revolutionary battlefields, but is fought by everyday workers, every day.

On this day in 1894, 4,000 workers at the Pullman Company went on wildcat strike.

In the weeks that followed, more than 150,000 railroad workers across the country joined and feuded with 12,000 strikebreaking National Guardsmen deployed by President Grover Cleveland. As many as 30 striking workers were killed.

The historic Pullman Strike of 1894 produced Labor Day, saw Eugene V. Debs imprisoned for the first time, and set him on a course to socialism.

It’s almost that time! We will see you tomorrow, SATURDAY JUNE 20th for the Annual Community ReCommitment Celebration Parade!
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Bring the cars out and join our annual Parade!
Bring the family out and enjoy the Festival!
Bring the kids out and enjoy games and prizes!
Come support the youth games!
Come take advantage of the resources at the Career/Resource Fair!
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For over a decade we have brought you SAFE, Culturally grounded programming for Freedom day and this year is no different. Join us for our annual “Community Re Commitment Celebration” as we partner with Chi Ball Youth League to Present the Annual “Juneteenth Youth Olympics”, Second Line Street Parade and Olympic Village Festival! Don’t miss this opportunity to come make and be a part of history!

See you there! Happy Juneteenth!

For more information visit our website:

https://www.thepullmanportersmuseum.org/

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