Embree Not Guilty Of IWW Offenses In Bisbee Epic: The Story Of Bisbee

Warren K. Embree was a prominent figure in the early 20th century labor movement in the United States. He was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW),a radical labor union that advocated for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. In 1917, Embree was arrested and charged with sedition for his role in organizing a strike at the Phelps Dodge copper mine in Bisbee, Arizona. He was found not guilty, but the case became a major turning point in the history of the IWW and the labor movement in the United States.

Embree Not Guilty of IWW Offenses in Bisbee (Epic of Bisbee)

by Gary Dillard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1734 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	12 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The IWW and the Phelps Dodge Strike

The IWW was founded in 1905 as a radical alternative to the American Federation of Labor (AFL). The IWW advocated for industrial unionism, which meant organizing workers into unions based on their industry rather than their craft. The IWW also supported direct action, such as strikes and sabotage, as a means of achieving its goals.

In 1917, the IWW organized a strike at the Phelps Dodge copper mine in Bisbee, Arizona. The strike was sparked by a number of factors, including low wages, dangerous working conditions, and the company's refusal to recognize the IWW as the bargaining agent for its workers.

The strike quickly turned violent, and the company hired armed guards to protect its property. On July 12, 1917, the guards rounded up over 1,200 strikers and their families and deported them to the New Mexico desert. The event became known as the Bisbee Deportation.

Warren K. Embree

Warren K. Embree was one of the leaders of the IWW strike at Phelps Dodge. He was arrested and charged with sedition for his role in organizing the strike. Embree was found not guilty, but the case became a major turning point in the history of the IWW and the labor movement in the United States.

The Trial of Warren K. Embree

Embree's trial began on October 8, 1917. The prosecution presented evidence that Embree had advocated for violence and sabotage during the strike. Embree's defense team argued that he was simply exercising his right to free speech.

The jury deliberated for three days before finding Embree not guilty. The verdict was a major victory for the IWW and the labor movement in the United States. It showed that the government could not suppress dissent simply because it disagreed with the views being expressed.

The Aftermath of the Trial

Despite the not guilty verdict, the trial of Warren K. Embree had a lasting impact on the labor movement in the United States. The government continued to crack down on the IWW, and the union's membership declined in the years after the strike.

The Bisbee Deportation and the trial of Warren K. Embree are important reminders of the struggles that workers have faced in the United States. They also show the importance of free speech and the right to organize for better working conditions.

Additional Information

• Industrial Workers of the World
• Phelps Dodge Corporation
• The Bisbee Deportation: Arizona's Copper Strike
• Warren K. Embree

Image Credits

• Warren K. Embree
• Bisbee Deportation

Embree Not Guilty of IWW Offenses in Bisbee (Epic of Bisbee)

by Gary Dillard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1734 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	12 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE