- Honoring the fallen: The Local 10 Drill Team stands at attention behind the ceremonial coffins representing Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise who were murdered by police on July 5, 1934 during the waterfront strike.
Up and down the West Coast, ILWU members and their families came together to remember “Bloody Thursday” and the martyrs of the 1934 West Coast Waterfront strike –the historic a struggle that would give birth to the ILWU and radically improve wages and working conditions for dock workers.
The 1934 strike began on May 9th, as longshoremen in West Coast ports walked out; they were joined by sailors several days later. Violent confrontations between union dockers and police and private security forces took place in ports up and down the West Coast that led to death of several workers.
Although “Bloody Thursday” marks the police killing of two strikers on July 5th, 1934 in San Francisco that sparked a general strike, the Bloody Thursday celebration honors the sacrifices of all the workers who gave their lives in the 1934 strikes in Wilmington, Seattle, San Francisco, Smith Cove and Hong Kong.
Southern California
The Southern California Bloody Thursday celebration began at 10 am with a memorial service at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Gardena, where Dickie Parker and John Knudsen are buried. Parker and Knudsen were the first dockworkers to give their lives for the union in 1934. At midnight on May 15th, 300 union strikers confronted a group of scab workers in Wilmington. Parker and Knudsen were fatally shot in the altercation. After the memorial service, funeral-style motorcade made its way to the Harry Bridges Park in Long Beach, where over 3,500 ILWU members, pensioners, casuals, friends and family gathered to celebrate the day.
This year’s picnic featured live music and special dance performances, great food and lots of entertainment for the kids. This year’s picnic and also had a special guest: Harry’s daughter Kathleen and grandson, Hunter, flew out from the East Coast to attend the celebration. Hunter saw the memorials to Harry and was surprised see just how important his grandfather was.
San Pedro Labor Fest
Coinciding with the Bloody Thursday celebration was the San Pedro Labor fest—an artistic and cultural celebration of San Pedro’s working class roots. The events included musical performances, an artwork and screenings of several labor films including Joan Sekler’s Locked Out which chronicles the victory of ILWU Local 30 members in Boron in their battle against mining giant, Rio Tinto and the new film “We are Wisconsin” about the fight by workers to protect collective bargaining rights.
San Francisco
Bloody Thursday celebrations at Local 10 are always a moving event because San Francisco is where two workers – Howard Sperry and Nick Bordoise – were killed on July 5, 1934 during the waterfront strike that triggered a subsequent general strike. These events helped win a coast-wide longshore contract and established the union which became today’s ILWU.
A contingent of active members, pensioners, family and friends gathered in front of Local 10 on the morning of July 5th to honor their fallen martyrs. The day’s activities were organized by the Bay Area Longshoremen’s Memorial Association.
Bay Area Pensioner’s Club President George Cobbs served as Master of Ceremonies, introducing a host of speakers. The ceremony began with the playing of “taps” by Local 10 member Scott Barton. Two ceremonial coffins representing the fallen brothers, Sperry and Bordoise, were escorted to the front of the Hall by the Local 10 Drill Team. The crowd was treated to a flawless rendition of the National Anthem was delivered by the talented 11-year- old Aaliyah Washington-Purry who warmed-up the mic for veteran crooner Paul ‘from da hall” Williams who sang his moving version of “Amazing Grace.” There was also a special drum performance by the Loco Bloco Youth Organization that featured the use of a historic Local 10 bass drum that was recently returned to the Local.
Local 10 President Mike Villeggiante delivered a speech on the legacy of the ’34 strike and the challenges that lie ahead for the working class. Other Bay Area ILWU officers spoke at the ceremony including Local 10 Vice President, Adam Mendez, Local 10 Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris, Local 34 President Sean Farley, and Local 75 President Jason Santana. A number of respected pensioners also took the microphone Cleophas Williams, Joe Lucas, Lawrence Thibeaux, and Ralph Rooker.
The celebration ended with a great BBQ lunch. Local 10 member Aaron Jones donated his DJ talents to provide music for the event and there was plenty of entertainment for the children as well. In the afternoon, guests treated to tour of the Bay on the Blue and Gold Bay Cruise made that was made possible in part thanks to labor that was generously donated by Blue & Gold crewmembers who belong to the Inlandboatmen’s Union.
Seattle
The turnout for Seattle’s annual Bloody Thursday picnic tipped the scales at nearly 2,000 participants with 1249 adults and about 700 kids.
As in previous years, the event was held in Vasa Park and was sponsored by Locals 19, 52, 98 and the Credit Union. There were plenty of games and activities. The “dunk –tank” was popular, as were the balloon artists, face-painters, and temporary tattoo artists. Hair extensions were a big hit with many and a special music performance for the kids was popular with the younger set. Adults enjoyed the more sophisticated sounds provided by Local 19 member Gii Cabaccang and the Hawaiian Groove band. Everyone shared in the impressive BBQ feast. As last time, the event was coordinated by Local 19 member Robert Richmire and a team of volunteers.
Portland
Portland families marked the event as they have for many years – by placing a wreath of flowers to honor the 1934 martyrs into the Willamette River where currents eventually carry the flowers into the Pacific. Members from Local 8, 40 and 91 participated.
The picnic that follows in Oaks Park includes an impressive BBQ lunch that involved 220 hamburgers, 1,200 hot dogs, 42 gallons of chili, 40 cases of sweet corn, 2,000 pounds of watermelon and 1,800 ice cream bars. Live music and games for the kids topped-off a great day in the park. The event was coordinated by Local 8 Vice President Adam Wetzell.