In the decade before World War I, the Socialist party was a vital political force, large enough to enter candidates in local, state and national elections. In 1912, almost 900,000 people voted for Eugene V. Debs for President. When the United States entered the war in 1917 the Socialists, like the Wobblies, opposed the war effort; moreover their resistance won support and Socialist candidates made a strong showing in the municipal elections of 1917. But to many of those who were caught up in a fervor of patriotism in support of the war, all opponents were betraying America. Congress passed an Espionage Act in June 1917 and a harsh Sedition Act in May 1918. Throughout the country Socialist meetings were raided; Socialists were beaten, tarred and feathered, and on occasion tortured. Under the new laws immigrants were rounded up and deported, and over 1,500 people were arrested, including Eugene Debs, Victor Berger, and Wobbly Leader “Big Bill” Haywood. Employers took advantage of wartime hysteria to suppress radical labor organizers, as in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, oil country where seventeen I.W.W. members were tarred and feathered and shipped out.
Anti-radical feeling continued high after the Armistice in November, 1918. The first major post-war show of strength by Socialists was a nationwide effort to hold May Day celebrations in 1919. Wherever there were celebrations, there were also violent attacks on the Socialists. In Boston, crowds attacked the May Day parade, killing one person and wounding several, and also destroyed the local Socialist headquarters. The police arrested 116 paraders, but not one of their assailants. In New York City, mobs wrecked the office of the Socialist Call and the Russian Peoples’ House. The Cleveland, Ohio, parade was attacked by victory loan workers and army veterans, and for two hours the central part of the city was in chaos. Socialist offices were wrecked, one person was killed, and forty injured. Again, 106 paraders were arrested, but none of their assailants.
The following account of the Cleveland riots is taken from the Ohio Socialist, May 8, 1919. See William Preston, Jr.: Aliens and Dissenters (1963); James Weinstein: The Decline of Socialism in America, 1912–1925 (1967); and National Civil Liberties Bureau: War-Time Prosecutions and Mob Violence … from April 1, 1917 to May 1, 1918 (1918).
The greatest parade ever staged by the Socialists of Cleveland ended in red riot and bloodshed on Thursday afternoon, May 1st. Hundreds of arrests were made, scores were taken to the hospitals, including seventeen policemen. Many more only slightly injured were taken home by friends. Riots and mobs ruled in the downtown section of the city for two hours. Shots were fired, police clubs cracked scores of heads and fist fights innumerable were principal parts of the debauch to which this section of the city was given over when the first division of the parade, numbering 35,000 marchers, entered the Public Square in the heart of the business section.
Paraders Peaceful and Happy
In five great divisions the 35,000 Socialists and sympathizers, including the Bakers’ union, on strike for day work only, the Machinists, one local of the Carpenters, members of the Workmen’s Sick and Death Benefit Fund, converged near Acme Hall and began their march toward the Public Square. Thousands carried small red pennants. Dozens of banners demanding release of political prisoners, withdrawal of troops from Russia and similar emblems were carried. Great red silk banners together with the national emblem were carried at the head of the parade and by the different divisions.
Smiles and happiness were on every face, cheers were given for the workers’ cause and the spirit of the New Day was seen to shine in every comrade’s face and bearing. The parade was one of happy men, women and children, bent upon a peaceful and happy celebration of our International holiday.
First Riot Starts
The parade was passing East 9th Street on Superior Street when soldiers on the sidewalk rushed into the parade, tearing the red banners from the hands of the marchers. In a few minutes Superior Street was the scene of riot and disorder from this point to the Public Square.
When the head of the parade reached the Square an immense cheering rose up from the thousands who packed the grounds. At the same moment the soldiers who carried the Socialist banners were attacked by others from the crowds. Their banners were wrested from them. When C. E. Ruthenberg, who was to be the principal speaker, interceded for the Socialists, he was arrested. Scarcely had the applause of the vast throng died down when a shriek of terror rose from thousands of throats as a platoon of mounted police dashed into the melee, wielding clubs without discrimination upon men and women alike. Instantly, bedlam broke loose. Army trucks and tanks, police autos, ambulances and police patrol wagons were dashing helter-skelter through the crowds, overrunning and injuring many in an attempt to disperse the crowds. Autos carrying police and mounted police dashed up and down the sidewalks to clear them. Men, women and children fled through by-streets and alleys for safety.
Workers Fight Back
While police were freely using their clubs upon the heads of the Socialists, some fought back with naked hands and what weapons they could find. Mounted police were pulled from their mounts and other officers were beaten into unconsciousness. In a short while, however, the crowd had been dispersed from the Square, but small riots and fights occurred in many adjacent streets all afternoon as mobs searched out individuals and groups of known Socialists.
Local Headquarters Demolished
During the riots downtown the local headquarters at Prospect and Bolivar Rd. was a scene of destruction. Mobs stormed the local headquarters, demolishing it almost completely. Windows were smashed out, furniture made into kindling wood. Thousands of books and pamphlets, records and files were carried away or ruined. The scene at the finish was one of utter desolation.