Haymarket Riot

An editorial I had to write for history class


Seven VS. 50

There is misconception with the word Anarchy. This misconception has been derived from bureaucrats who are afraid of people that want to dismantle the corrupt system. Anarchy is not the definition of chaos and destruction; it is the fight for equality and freedom.

On Tuesday May 4, 1886 there was a massacre where seven policemen died and 50 civilians or more were wounded and killed. The Haymarket rally was a meeting to speak about the low wages and long hours that the workers were receiving and their mistreatment in general. This was meant to be a peaceful riot, but once the policemen arrived with the intention of stopping the rally, a protestor threw a pipe bomb killing one policeman. Once this occurred the police reacted irrationally and began shooting at the public, killing women and men.

Most of the newspapers have distorted this story by saying that all who attend the rally were murderers and they were responsible for the deaths. Eight men were taken from the crowd and charged with the death of the policemen. The eight men are August Spies, Albert Parsons, Adolf Fischer, George Engel, Louis Lingg, Michael Schwab, Samuel Filden, and Oscar Neebe. Three of these men were hung, one escaped and Louis Lingg committed suicide. On June 26, 1893 Michael Schwab, Oscar Neebe and Samuel Filden were pardoned by the Chicago governor, because he believed that they were innocent. We are all very happy that these three men were pardoned, but to the rest of the convicted we send our greatest respect and solidarity to their families. We must not forget this day; let it be known that the men who were convicted were innocent and that the system is responsible for their death. Down with the system!