A striking worker sits in the back of a pick up truck parked in front of the G.W. Paulson flooring business storefront. A mannequin wearing a hardhat holds a sign reading, "On strike against G.W. Paulson."

Family members of the striking Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. workers joined the picket lines with signs and singing in support. Two thousand two hundred workers are striking the plant. “Lillian Stevens, Claudia Selby, and Brian Ferguson, 9, from left, sang family support for strikers.” Photo by staff member Bruce Kellman.

A group of demonstrators hold a banner reading, "STRIKE." A sign in the background reads, "Tough times never last but tough people do."

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News-Peace March
People from around the state participated in a local demonstration as "The Great Peace March" arrived in Washington D.C. They had a rally on the steps of the Capitol Building in Olympia, then had a symbolic march down the capitol grounds and a few blocks into the town. The local demonstration in Olympia was sponsored by the Nuclear Weapons Freeze Coalition.
Larry Burnbaum
Photo by Susie Post

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Erick Johnson's home was moved to the South End.
Sign:
I will not Sell My Property To The City Or Mayor Parker.
No Parking Lot in My Front Yard.

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News
A happy trio make their way up Broadway and towards Volunteer Park during todays Gay Pride parade in Downtown Seattle.
Geff Hinds Photo

Three people participating in a demonstration walk with their arms around each other. One holds a sign reading, "United Against Nazis! Radical Women."

In the depths of the Great Depression, about 1,000 men and women waged a peaceful orderly march on City Hall in late February of 1931 to focus attention on immediate unemployment relief. Members of the Unemployed Council, the Trade Unity League and the Communist Party requested: 1) unemployment insurance at $15 per week with $5 extra per dependent; 2) an immediate relief fund of $1 million generated by reducing city officials' salaries; 3) non-ejection of unemployed not able to pay house rent; 4) free use of civic auditoriums for meetings of the unemployed and 5) full payment of war bonus. Mayor M.G. Tennent met with twelve chosen marchers to express his and the city council's concern but stated that their powers were limited. He did state that a $41,000 Sheridan Avenue project was approved that morning so that more men could be employed through city construction. After listening to a program of addresses by their leaders, the large crowd dispersed after about three hours. (TDL 2/26/1931, p.4-article). Bowen 03-914.

Mess tents pitched on the old Central School playgrounds across from the Armory as cooks prepare to feed the men of the second battalion of the Washington National Guard 161st Infantry called out to control the violence associated with the 1935 Lumber workers' strike. In June of 1935, the mills in Tacoma and surrounded areas attempted to reopen with workers willing to return to work. Violence erupted between the returning workers and the strikers. Governor Clarence Martin ordered the Guard in on June 23rd, 1935 after reports that local authorities were unable to handle the situation. It was the second time the Guard was ordered out since the World War, the other two times being in 1919 and 1933. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

Soldiers from the 161st Infantry of the Washington National Guard patrol the Tideflats during the Lumber worker's strike of 1935. In June of 1935, the mills of Tacoma and surrounding areas were attempting to reopen after petitions circulated stating that over 60 % of the work force was willing to return. Governor Clarence Martin promised protection to the mills and workers and called in the Guard to patrol the Tideflats and guard the entrances into the industrial area. They also accompanied returning workers on the main thoroughfares into the area. The troops totalled over 500 by June 25th and came from Yakima, Prosser, Pullman and Walla Walla. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

Members of the 2nd battalion of the Washington National Guard 161st Infantry lounge on the ground, or stand in line with their mess kits, preparing to eat at the temporary mess tents set up on the old Central School playground. The Guard was called into Tacoma by Governor Clarence Martin on June 23rd, 1935 to control the violence associated with the lumber workers' strike. The soldiers were stationed at the Armory and their mess tents set up in this nearby playground. The lumber and sawmill workers' strike started on May 6th and was settled August 2nd, 1935. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

When the attempts in June of 1935 of workers to return to the striking mills erupted in violence, Governor Clarence Martin ordered in the Washington National Guard late Sunday night, June 23, 1935. The guards were whisked from Camp Murray to Tacoma in 16 trucks. Their job was to protect the returning workers and the mills. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

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Photograph by Bob Rudsit

Striking gasfitters and electrical workers stall in talks with employers. The strike had been in progress for 69 days. About 340 union members from parts of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Lewis counties have been affected, with an additional 260 members of other unions striking in support. Photo by staff member Bob Rudsit.

Demonstrators show their support for the La Girls show by holding signs. After being cancelled at three Tacoma-area locations, the La Girls show was performed at the Sherwood Inn. The event brought both supporters and opponents of the La Girls show.

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Homosexuals

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Demonstrations

Two protestors in warm clothing stand in the center of the photograph, holding signs that read "Chunksa Yuha Is Not Our Messanger," and "Hell No Hanta Yo Is Not Our "Roots."

Native American protesters confront author Ruth Beebe Hill over claims her book Hanta Yo is filled with misinformation about Indigenous history, specifically Hill’s saga about two Sioux families.

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Demonstrations

Around 40 Iranian students marched nine miles through Tacoma, bringing attention to the revolution occurring inside Iran. They were protesting the Iranian state and the shah. Demonstrators, wearing masks, carry banners and signs reading, "Down with the Shah- the puppet of US Imperialism," "Stop and Shah's Bloodbath," and "Independence and democracy for Iran." Staff photo by Bob Rudsit.

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Demonstrations

Two demonstrators march outside of the Metropolitan Development Council office. One holds a sign reading, "What is MDC doing for Puerto Rican Community?" Another sign says, "MDC does not serve us (Puerto Ricans) at all!"

Mill workers, accompanied by Washington National Guardsmen, stand at the side of the road preparing to cross the Eleventh Street Bridge into the Tideflats to report to work. A second group of men appears to be standing just ahead, possibly strikers gathering to heckle the workers. In June of 1935, workers attempting to return to work at the reopening mills were subjected to extreme violence and threats. Governor Clarence Martin ordered the second battalion of the Washington National Guard 161st Infantry to Tacoma on June 23, 1935 to protect the returning workers and the mills. The guardsmen were armed with smoke, tear and nausea gas bombs, rifles, bayonets and ammunition. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

Members of the Washington National Guard are loaded up in trucks and preparing to return to downtown Tacoma from the industrial Tideflats across the Eleventh Street Bridge. The second battalion of the Guards' 161st Infantry was mobilized to Tacoma by Governor Clarence Martin when workers attempting to return to work during the Lumber workers' strike met with violence. Their job was to protect the workers and the mills. They were stationed at the Armory and patrolled the Tideflats and all bridges and roads into the area. The Eleventh Street bridge has roadblocks on all but one lane, so that vehicles could be searched. (TNT 6/24/1935, pg. 1 & 2)

On March 1, 1933 at around 12 noon, a convoy of trucks and automobiles carried unemployed demonstrators through Tacoma on their way to Olympia. Here they are pictured passing on Tacoma Ave. South in front of the Tacoma Public Library (now known as the TPL Carnegie Building.) The Seattle planners of the march planned to descend on the Capital and present their demands for jobless insurance and a cash dole to the State Legislature. The main section of around 150 vehicles passed through Tacoma without trouble or disturbance, but they were met outside Olympia by police and state patrol and denied access to the city. The protestors, estimated at 2,000, camped at Priest Point Park on the outskirts of Olympia. They were denied a permit for a demonstration at the Capital. A committee of 20 met with Governor Clarence D. Martin who declined their demands. They were then asked to return home, which they did peacefully. (TNT 3/1/33, pg.1; 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 5; TDL 3/2/33, pg. 1; 3/3/33, pg. 1)

Demonstrations--1930-1940; Activists; Protest movements--1930-1940; Unemployment--Wash.--1930-1940; Unemployed--Wash.--1930-1940; Depressions--1929;