Tomorrow in WI= Battle of the Overpass?

[RandySF]

When I was active in Detroit area politics, I knew a LOT of UAW old-timer, some of whom told me they were there when the Battle of the Overpass broke out. Tomorrow, the teabaggers will arrive to Madison to hold a "counter-protest". Police are gearing up, but considering how violence is such an essential part of the teabag creed, I fear the worst. So tonight, I present a little historic perspective.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Overpass

The Battle of the Overpass was an incident on May 26, 1937, in which labor organizers clashed with Ford Motor Company security guards.

The United Auto Workers had planned a leaflet campaign entitled, "Unionism, Not Fordism", at the pedestrian overpass over Miller Road at Gate 4 of the Rouge complex. Demanding an $8 ($121.28 in 2010 dollars) six-hour day for workers, in contrast to the $6 ($90.96 in 2010 dollars) eight-hour day then in place, the campaign was planned for shift change time, with an expected 9,000 workers both entering and leaving the plant.

At approximately 2 p.m., several of the leading UAW union organizers, including Walter Reuther and Richard Frankensteen, were asked by a Detroit News photographer, James E. (Scotty) Kilpatrick, to pose for a picture on the overpass, with the Ford sign in the background.<1> While they were posing, men from Ford's Service Department, an internal security force under the direction of Harry Bennett, came from behind and began to beat them. The number of attackers is disputed, but may have been as many as forty.<2>

Frankensteen had his jacket pulled over his head and was kicked and punched. Reuther described some of the treatment he received: "Seven times they raised me off the concrete and slammed me down on it. They pinned my arms . . . and I was punched and kicked and dragged by my feet to the stairway, thrown down the first flight of steps, picked up, slammed down on the platform and kicked down the second flight. On the ground they beat and kicked me some more. . . " One union organizer, Richard Merriweather, suffered a broken back as the result of the beating he received.<1>

The group then beat some of the beret-wearing women arriving to pass out leaflets, along with some reporters and photographers, while Dearborn police at the scene largely ignored the violence.

[murielm99]

1. The cops and the firemen are with the protesters

this time. There are some big union guys out there. I think they will protect each other, and they will protect the teachers and other smaller supporters.

We can't let fear stop us. That is what they want.

[upi402]

2. The bullies will yell. They only stomp lone women

They are windbag phonies, all of them. Acting like big Army-mans with cowboy guns on.

[EC]

3. Thank you

I'd forgotten about Walter Reuther. I live in Kenosha where the UAW built our town. I can remember before the union came in - my mom had a bad heart so most of my dad's American Motors paycheck went to meds. When the union came in and got them insurance - we could finally save money and prosper. Before the unions it was hard just to stay even. One of our main roads into the city is named "Auto Worker Dr." and one of our High Schools is named Walter Reuther. That is how important unions are to this state. I think Walker walked into fire.


I'm hoping every union worker in WI shows up this week-end.