Reel

Biography of U.S. labor leader John L. Lewis.

Republic Steel strike and riot (Little Steel Strike, Memorial Day Massacre) in Chicago, Illinois, May 30, 1937. LS/TLS picketers marching, carrying placards. Chicago Police Department police officers assembled on side road beside two paddy wagons. Strikers arriving in prairie field near Republic Steel mill, police officers forming protective barrier on access road. Strikers gathered at police line, many trying to talk with the cops. Panning LS chaos ensuing, police pushing through picketers and swinging billy clubs, at least one officer in FG firing service revolver into crowd. Tear gas streaking across frame, at least two picketers fighting back but quickly subdued. Aftermath scene, CPD cops dragging injured marchers to paddy wagons.

US President Franklin D Roosevelt (Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR) delivering glowering, steely-eyed broadcast address. Congress of Industrial Organizations President John L. Lewis delivering speeches

John L. Lewis, "President Roosevelt will not be re-elected for the third term unless he has the overwhelming support of the men and women of labor. If he is, therefore, re-elected, I will accept the result as being the equivalent of a vote of no-confidence, and will retire as the President of the Congress of Industrial Organization at its convention in November."

LS crowd gathered outside Roosevelt home in Hyde Park, New York, following FDR's re-election, November, 1940, night; LS/TLSs President Franklin Roosevelt and family standing on porch (FDR has assistance standing upright) and waving to well-wishers.