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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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513 results for: Protests and Demonstrations

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Image of Protestors outside Canwell Committee hearings, Seattle, 1948
Photograph

Protestors outside Canwell Committee hearings, Seattle, 1948

The Committee on Un-American Activities, also known as the Canwell Committee, held hearings in 1948 in the Seattle Armory. Organizations under investigation included the Seattle Repertory Theatre, the Building Service Employees Union, the Washington Pension Union, and University of Washington faculty. After being accused of Communist involvement many individuals lost their jobs and organizations were shut down. Protest signs read:…
ID Number:PI21683
Date:1948
Image of Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937
Photograph

Demonstrators with signs outside Seattle Chamber of Commerce during WPA strike, Seattle, 1937

In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration hired some 9,000 unemployed King County residents on 271 different projects ranging from improving roads and parks to serving school lunches. Congress reduced funding for the WPA in 1937, causing nationwide layoffs. In Seattle, some workers stormed the WPA offices to protest the layoffs. Others staged sitdown strikes or picketed on downtown sidewalks.This…
ID Number:PI22387
Date:1937
Image of Striking longshoremen blocking train tracks at Pier 40, Smith Cove, Seattle, July 19, 1934
Photograph

Striking longshoremen blocking train tracks at Pier 40, Smith Cove, Seattle, July 19, 1934

In the early 1930s, the International Longshoremen's Association, led by San Francisco-based Harry Bridges, tried to unionize all West Coast dockworkers to improve pay and working conditions. In 1934, after employers refused to recognize the union, West Coast longshoremen went out on strike for 98 days, seriously disrupting trade. At Seattle's Smith Cove, picketing strikers blocked access to the piers…
ID Number:PI23998
Date:1934
Image of Policemen and striking longshoremen at Pier 40, Seattle, June 1934
Photograph

Policemen and striking longshoremen at Pier 40, Seattle, June 1934

In the early 1930s, the International Longshoremen's Association, led by San Francisco-based Harry Bridges, tried to unionize all West Coast dockworkers to improve pay and working conditions. In 1934, after employers refused to recognize the union, West Coast longshoremen went out on strike for 98 days, seriously disrupting trade. At Seattle's Smith Cove, picketing strikers blocked access to the piers…
ID Number:PI24001
Date:1934
Image of Waterfront strike at Smith Cove, July 19, 1934
Photograph

Waterfront strike at Smith Cove, July 19, 1934

In the early 1930s, the International Longshoremen's Association, led by San Francisco-based Harry Bridges, tried to unionize all West Coast dockworkers to improve pay and working conditions. In 1934, after employers refused to recognize the union, West Coast longshoremen went out on strike for 98 days, seriously disrupting trade. At Seattle's Smith Cove, picketing strikers blocked access to the piers…
ID Number:PI24004
Date:1934
Image of Striking longshoremen with locomotive leaving Smith Cove, Seattle, July 19, 1934
Photograph

Striking longshoremen with locomotive leaving Smith Cove, Seattle, July 19, 1934

In the early 1930s, the International Longshoremen's Association, led by San Francisco-based Harry Bridges, tried to unionize all West Coast dockworkers to improve pay and working conditions. In 1934, after employers refused to recognize the union, West Coast longshoremen went out on strike for 98 days, seriously disrupting trade. At Seattle's Smith Cove, picketing strikers blocked access to the piers…
ID Number:PI24006
Date:1934
Image of Armed policemen during longshoremen's strike, Seattle, July 20, 1934
Photograph

Armed policemen during longshoremen's strike, Seattle, July 20, 1934

In the early 1930s, the International Longshoremen's Association, led by San Francisco-based Harry Bridges, tried to unionize all West Coast dockworkers to improve pay and working conditions. In 1934, after employers refused to recognize the union, West Coast longshoremen went out on strike for 98 days, seriously disrupting trade. At Seattle's Smith Cove, picketing strikers blocked access to the piers…
ID Number:PI24007
Date:1934
Image of Tear gas in Tacoma during the 1935 mill strike, June 24, 1935
Photograph

Tear gas in Tacoma during the 1935 mill strike, June 24, 1935

In May 1935, a strike against the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company idled some 40,000 sawmill and timber workers. The workers demanded better pay and shorter working hours. The mill's owners tried to keep the mill open and called in state police and the National Guard to keep order. On June 24, the police and guardsmen used tear gas…
ID Number:PI24070
Date:1935
Image of Labor dispute at Pier 6, Seattle, 1938
Photograph

Labor dispute at Pier 6, Seattle, 1938

Signs in image: [Milwaukee] Pier No. 6. Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul Railroad. Arlington Dock Co.Handwritten on negative: Seamen picket I.L.A.Handwritten on sleeve: Seattle - docks - Pier six.Date photograph was filed at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (date of photograph and file date may differ by a month or more): April 22, 1938.
ID Number:PI24098
Date:Filed 4/22/38
Image of Franklin High School band marching for school bond issue, Seattle, March 12, 1946
Photograph

Franklin High School band marching for school bond issue, Seattle, March 12, 1946

In this image, Franklin High School's 40-piece band, wearing 1906-era clothing styles, paraded through downtown Seattle on behalf of a $10 million bond issue sought by school authorities for the purposes of acquiring and improving school sites. Their sign reads "Our schools O.K. in '06...but this is '46." Caption information derived from captions written by Post-Intelligencer staff and attached to…
ID Number:PI25501
Date:1946
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