The Centralia Massacre occurred in Centralia, Washington, on November 11, 1919, during a parade celebrating the first anniversary of Armistice Day, a celebration marking the end of World War I and commemorating the millions of victims. The memorial parade war veterans marched and passed in front of the Industrial Workers of the World union hall, a small group broke off and charged the Roderick with the intent to repeat the events of the previous year, the union hall was looted during a parade and several Wobblies were abducted and beaten. The Wobblies, fearing for their lives, fired in self-defense. It resulted in six deaths and many wounded. All of the captured Wobblies were taken to the local jail.
As evening fell on November 11, 1919, vigilantes began to form outside the jailhouse. Electrical power to Centralia was cut off and American Legionnaires ordered drivers to shut off their headlights to preserve the darkness. Hidden by the darkness they'd somehow produced, the mob took Wobbly Wesley Everest from the prison. Everest was lynched, his body was shot about 20 times and then left hanging.The mob continued into the night as the vigilante groups continued to hunt down suspected Wobblies. People were beaten, homes raided, and suspects rounded up and thrown in jail by the angry mobs.
The I.W.W. members who were accused of murder in this case, were railroaded by a trial that made a mockery of justice through lies, intimidation of witnesses, and suppression of evidence. Sent to prison for many years until their sentences were later commuted.
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| The Burial of Fellow-Worker Westley Everest |
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