Local (Mn) series commemorates 100th anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist fire

[Omaha Steve]

Please note Mn is a long way from NYC. After 100 years, the pain is still felt like it was yesterday.


http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4795

By Steve Share, Labor Review editor
4 March 2011

MINNEAPOLIS - This spring across the United States, commemorative events will mark the 100th anniversary of one of America’s worst industrial tragedies: the March 25, 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City.


Women fell to their deaths as they tried to escape the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist factory, where the exits were locked.

he fire claimed the lives of 146 workers, mostly Jewish and Italian immigrant women. Here in the Twin Cities, Jewish Community Action, together with a range of historical, educational, labor, immigrant rights, and social justice organizations, will mark the anniversary with a series of events in March, April and May. The series will examine the legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and make connections with contemporary labor and workplace safety issues.

The series is being organized by Jewish Community Action, with community sponsorship from organizations including the Minnesota AFL- CIO, AFSCME Council 5, ISAIAH, UFCW Local 789, UNITE-HERE Local 17 and others.

Events include:

Sunday, March 6, 3 p.m., film screening on the fire and panel discussion, John B. Davis Auditorium at Macalester College, St. Paul. Panelists include Hy Berman, historian; Liban Ali, UNITE-HERE Local 17; representatives from Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) and others.

Sunday, March 27, 1:30 p.m., Jewish Community Action’s 9th Annual Immigrant Freedom Seder, Mount Zion Temple, St. Paul. A Passover Seder commemorating the Fire and highlighting on-going immigrant and worker issues. Led by Rabbi Amy Eilberg and featuring stories from past and present immigrant groups. RSVP by March 18 to Jewish Community Action, 651-632-2184.

FULL story at link.

[lizziegrace]

1. PBS ran a documentary on that fire

and the labor movement among the garment workers last week. It still may be available to view online.

Can't remember what series it was. American Experience maybe?

I found the timing interesting given what's going on in Madison and the rallies here in Columbus.

[malaise]

3. Yep American Experience

:hi:

[lizziegrace]

4. Thanks!

Here's a link:

http://video.pbs.org/video/1817898383/

[femrap]

5. I watched it as well....

I've got goosebumps just thinking about it. I just couldn't believe that the 2 owners were acquitted. They locked that back door so none of the employees could steal a bit of cloth.

I wonder what happened to those greedy murderers. I can only hope they endured a long, painfully pathetic life.

[MountainLaurel]

6. HBO is also doing a documentary on it

http://www.hbo.com/#/documentaries/triangle-remembering-the-fire

I remember doing a school report on the Triangle fire at one point, but I don't think I ever realized how integral it was to labor history.

[malaise]

2. I think you should contact Ed Shultz, Rachel, KO et al

so that the 100th anniversary is properly covered on the 25th.

I watched the PBS documentary - it was heartbreaking.

:yourock: