On July 27, workers, descendants of the strikers, and the local labor community came together at Wabun Park in Minneapolis to honor the 90th anniversary of the 1934 Truckers’ Strike that brought Minneapolis to a standstill and served as a spark for radical and militant labor struggle across the country. 

The strike lasted about three months, as Teamsters Local 574 truckers demanded a fair wage and official recognition of the union. The trucking companies had the support of the Citizens Alliance, an anti-trade union organization that sought to break the strike. The strike’s impact reverberated throughout the city, bringing much of the Minneapolis economy to a halt. 

After reaching an agreement, the trucking companies did not honor the terms and workers returned to the streets. On July 20, 1934, the Minneapolis police attacked and opened fire on picketers in the streets of the Warehouse District. Police shot 67 strikers and killed two, Henry Ness and John Belor. The deadly police attack became known as “Bloody Friday.” On July 24, 1934, about 100,000 people lined the streets to honor Henry Ness’ funeral procession in Minneapolis.

Unicorn Riot and Workday Magazine heard from two grandchildren of Henry Ness and other descendants of the 1934 strike during the anniversary. More: https://unicornriot.ninja/1934