44: Excessive Force pt.2: March to May

Mar 13, 2024

Labor rights activists Albert Parsons, Lucy Parsons, and Clara Lemlich discuss the historic Haymarket Riot and Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, highlighting the struggles for worker rights and unsafe conditions in American factories. The podcast delves into the meaning of May Day and the sacrifices made by individuals in the labor movement.

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Building a PC and Nostalgic Reminiscence

16:33 • 9min

Impressions of a Massive Facility and Discussion on John Evans

25:34 • 2min

Honoring Indigenous Tribes and Climbing Mount Blue Sky

27:09 • 4min

Exploring Hillary Swank and Podcast Storytelling

30:41 • 3min

The Haymarket Affair: Immigrant Workers and Labor Rights in Chicago

34:05 • 21min

Journey from Newsboy to Soldier to Politician in Post-Civil War America

55:27 • 5min

The Political Journey of Albert Parsons

01:00:16 • 19min

Casual Conversations About Music and Artistry

01:19:32 • 2min

Working Conditions and Pay in a 1911 Factory

01:21:46 • 2min

The Tragic Factory Fire

01:23:28 • 29min

Advocacy and Empathy in Immigrant Narratives

01:52:07 • 13min

A podcast on workers rights and the labor movement! Striking workers and unsafe working conditions, a uniquely American story. This week, Grant explores two historic moments in the labor rights movement. The Haymarket Riot in Chicago and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York. We learn more about Albert Parsons and Lucy Parsons, Clara Lemlich, and even get a surprise appearance from gilded age aristocrats. Discover the meaning behind May Day in today’s episode, March to May!

In this powerful episode, Grant and Maia explore the brutal labor struggles of late 19th and early 20th-century America, focusing on the Haymarket Riot of 1886 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. Through the stories of activists like Albert and Lucy Parsons, the hosts reveal the extraordinary courage of immigrant workers fighting against exploitative working conditions, systemic oppression, and corporate greed. The episode reaches its emotional peak with a detailed account of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which claimed 146 lives and ultimately sparked significant labor reforms in New York State. By connecting historical struggles to contemporary social justice issues, Grant and Maia offer a compelling narrative about the ongoing fight for workers' rights and the importance of understanding systemic inequalities. Tune in for the roots of May Day, nostalgic tangents about foldable furniture and Jon Stewart, plus a clear message that any “normal” built on abuse deserves rethinking.

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00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:29:47 March to May

00:46:10 Albert and Lucy Parsons’ legacy

00:54:20 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

01:18:00 Systemic greed & déjà‑vu

01:33:30 Modern echoes

01:52:07 Lessons in Historical Empathy