on Easter Sunday, March 25, 1894 (among the
marchers was a young Jack London). According
to reports, the numbers reached as high as
20,000 but only 500-600 made it to Washington,
D.C. On April 30 the U.S. soldiers met them…
having been called out by President Grover
Cleveland. The authorities fully understood the
impact such a public display could have. “There
is a colored population numbering 85,000 in this
city, fully half of whom are unemployed and
many of whom are vicious,” explained W.G.
Moore, chief of the D.C. Police. “We could not,
of course, afford to permit any demonstration
which would arouse them. Hence the thoroughness of our preparations.”
Before Coxey could deliver his speech, he was arrested for walking on the grass and his army
quickly disbanded.
Coxey's efforts did inspire other “industrial armies,” especially on the Pacific Coast. In addition,
some of his ideas found a home in New Deal programs and his bold march undoubtedly shaped
the organization of future protests like the Bonus Army, Dr. King's March on Washington, the
Million Man March, and more.
marchers was a young Jack London). According
to reports, the numbers reached as high as
20,000 but only 500-600 made it to Washington,
D.C. On April 30 the U.S. soldiers met them…
having been called out by President Grover
Cleveland. The authorities fully understood the
impact such a public display could have. “There
is a colored population numbering 85,000 in this
city, fully half of whom are unemployed and
many of whom are vicious,” explained W.G.
Moore, chief of the D.C. Police. “We could not,
of course, afford to permit any demonstration
which would arouse them. Hence the thoroughness of our preparations.”
Before Coxey could deliver his speech, he was arrested for walking on the grass and his army
quickly disbanded.
Coxey's efforts did inspire other “industrial armies,” especially on the Pacific Coast. In addition,
some of his ideas found a home in New Deal programs and his bold march undoubtedly shaped
the organization of future protests like the Bonus Army, Dr. King's March on Washington, the
Million Man March, and more.
41
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SUPPOSED TO KNOW
SUPPOSED TO KNOW