“The Mailed Fist of the Law”

In this anonymous IWW cartoon, a Spokane police officer is pictured clubbing a Wobbly free speech advocate as he tramples the Constitution underfoot. The Wobblies led a massive campaign of non-violent civil disobedience aimed at overwhelming the state machinery and forcing a retraction of the unjust law. Police responded with violence, as seen here, breaking up public meetings and beating speakers.

Illustration from the IWW publication the Industrial Worker on January 8, 1910.

View the IWW exhibit for more information.