Descendants of 1934 Teamster strikers carry proud legacy

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Labor

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/articles/descendants-1934-teamster-strikers-carry-proud-legacy

By Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review
June 23, 2014

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Rosemary Knutson displays a photo of her grandfather, Christ Knutson, a World War I veteran and coal truck driver who joined the 1934 Teamsters strikes. Photo by Steve Share


ST. PAUL
Descendants of the participants in the historic 1934 Teamsters' strikes remember and honor their legacy. The 10 or so people gathering in a 1920s home in St. Paul might have been meeting for the first time, but they forged an instant bond. Their parents or grandparents 80 years ago stood together and fought in the streets of Minneapolis for the right to organize a union during the 1934 Teamsters strikes.

These descendants include the grandchildren of notable strike leaders like Vincent “Ray” Dunne. They also include people who knew little about their parent’s or grandparent’s involvement —only that daddy or grandpa took part and that it was damned important.

One by one, as they shared their stories, the descendants also expressed a common calling in life: to stand up for what’s right and to work to make the world a better place.

Linnea Sommer:
Granddaughter of Chester Johnson
“My grandfather whose name is Chester Johnson was in the Socialist Workers Party and was involved in the strike,” said Linnea Sommer, St. Louis Park. “All I know is that it happened and my grandfather was in it. I know it broke the back of the Citizens Alliance and made Minneapolis a union town.”

FULL story at link.