Quote:
Originally Posted by tovangar2
Speaking of the number of suicides in the 30s (and the reasons for them), I found the remarkable image (below) on another thread. The caption is "1930 Los Angeles Communists rioting during an unemployment protest downtown."
I can't identify a "riot" although the snarling officer on the left margin looks to me as if he'd like to start one. It appears to be a march, consisting of an orderly, neatly-dressed crowd on the sidewalk which seems to have been progressing along from the right. Eight or more officers appear to be attacking, maybe annoyed by the sign at the center of the image (?). Some obviously frightened people are attempting to get away while the majority are riveted by the scene.
I found a thoughtful national overview of the 1930-1939 Unemployed Workers Movement, which was supported by several groups, but it only mentions Los Angeles once:
http://libcom.org/history/1930-1939-...rkers-movement.
Can anyone identify this particular incident or even the street corner?
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Well, it could very well have been the march (late February/early March, 1930) which originated, I think, around Figueroa and ended up over at the Plaza, organized by the Communist Worker's Party demonstrating for, among other things, increased unemployment benefits, a school lunch program for hungry school children and against the generally crummy situation in which working families found themselves. Lotta this kind of thing going around in 1930. Of course, Harry Chandler was not amused and arranged for a few heads to be cracked, which, predictably, only served to further radicalize the working man. Read Carey McWilliams' book, Southern California: An Island on the Land.
You can't go wrong.
Here are a couple of shots that may well be from the same event...
Mob scene, 2nd and Main Street
Striking view looking down on the milling crowd of Communists during the agitation. Arrows show the white caps of two policemen on guard at the fringe of the throng, 2nd and Main Streets. Photo dated: March 8, 1930.
LAPL
Communist demonstration on Main Street
Police monitors a crowd at a Communist demonstration on Main Street. Photo dated: March 8, 1930.
LAPL
EDIT: for correction, the march I was thinking of that started over at Figueroa and Washington was actually in March, 1933 (or October or November or...lol). I'll put up a couple of pics in a minute.
Hunger March, 1933
A large crowd of Communist Party of America members have gathered to participate in a Hunger March, starting at Washington and Figueroa and heading for the Plaza. The march, organized by the United Front Conference Against Hunger, was designed to make a statement against the fate of the unemployed and poor. One sign reads, "Join R.W.P.U. says We" and another reads "Join the Pioneers". According to newspaper sources from the time period, the city leaders were concerned about violence and too much agitation occurring during the demonstration. Photo dated: October 2, 1933.
LAPL
Hunger March at La Plaza, 1933
A large crowd of Communist Party of America members gather at La Plaza to participate in a Hunger March. The protest, organized by the United Front Conference Against Hunger, was designed to make a statement against the fate of the unemployed and poor. One sign reads, "We Demand $4.00 A Day Not $1.60," another reads "Where is the American Standard of Living?" and another reads, "We Demand Milk for Our Babies bay Cities Women's Counsel." According to newspaper sources from the time period, the city leaders were concerned that violence and too much agitation would occur during such demonstrations. Photo dated: November 7, 1933.
LAPL
Hunger March at La Plaza, 1933 (2)
A large crowd of Communist Party of America members gather at La Plaza to participate in a Hunger March. The protest, organized by the United Front Conference Against Hunger, was designed to make a statement against the fate of the unemployed and poor. One sign reads, "Free Hot Lunches in School for Children," another reads "Workers in all Neighborhoods Build Block Committees" and another reads, "Fight Against Foreclosures of Small Homes" According to newspaper sources from the time period, the city leaders were concerned that violence and too much agitation would occur during such demonstrations. Photo dated: November 7, 1933.
LAPL