Missoula Free Speech Fight (1909)

Wed Sep 29, 1909

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Image: Elizabeth Gurley Flynn addressing strikers in Paterson, N.J. (1913) [socialistworker.org]

“Free Speech Fights” refers to to struggles over free speech involving the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in the early 20th century. The IWW members, along with other radical groups, were often met with opposition (violent and otherwise) from local governments and especially business leaders, in their attempts to exercise their right to free speech.

On this day in 1909, a 19 year old Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, already a prominent member of the IWW, and her husband Jack Jones were arrested for speaking on a street corner in Missoula, Montana. Flynn put out the word, declaring, “we need volunteers to go to jail”.

IWW poured in from the surrounding territory, getting arrested and overwhelming the local jail facilities. Some were offered immediate release, but they refused and insisted on a jury trial to remain in jail.

Eventually, on October 8th, the city had had enough with the IWW members and dropped all charges related to the exercise of speech, allowing them to speak where they wished, provided they didn’t block the flow of traffic.