This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Wednesday, September 4th
This Day in Labor History
Action Calendar
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On this day in Labor History the year was 1949.
That was the day known in New York as the Peekskill Riots.
Internationally renowned African American Paul Robeson was scheduled to give an open-air concert.
He was known for his deep, moving voice singing iconic songs like Shenandoah and the Ballad of Joe Hill.
Robeson was active in the causes of civil and labor rights.
In the Cold War hysteria after World War II, Robeson had been labeled a dangerous Communist.
The New York concert was originally planned to benefit the Civil Rights Congress.
The group had been defending the “Trenton 6” a group of six black young men sentenced to die in New Jersey for allegedly killing a white shop keeper.
The case was rife with legal abuses.
But protests over the concert led to its cancellation.
It was rescheduled, and the tickets were distributed to trade unionists in New York City.
On the day of the concert 2,500 union members made a human wall around the field to protect against protesters.
Protesters gathered hurling anti-black and anti-Jewish racial epithets.
Pete Seeger opened the concert followed by Robeson.
The real trouble came when the concert ended and people tried to leave.
The protesters threw rocks at the passing cars, while policeman stood by and watched.
145 people were injured.
Other concerts were cancelled.
Paul Robeson would continue to be harassed by the FBI.
He was denied a passport due to his stance against anti-black discrimination in the United States and against colonialism in Africa.
Labor History in Two Minutes is brought to you by a partnership between the Illinois Labor History Society and the Pennsylvania-based Rick Smith Show. All opinions are those of the speaker.
It’s today’s Action Calendar!
Get free help with basic computer skills from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Madison’s Central Library, 201 West Mifflin Street. Bring your questions about e-mail, printing, filling out on-line forms or any other computer-related issues. Phone 266-6300 for information.
WORT needs a weekly volunteer receptionist on Tuesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. We also need fill-in receptionists who have some availability on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and who have email access. For more information, email volunteer@wortfm.org with Volunteer Receptionist in the subject line. Or, call Glenn at 608-321-9596. If leaving a message, please provide your phone number and email address.
Wisconsin Books to Prisoners is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a love of reading for those behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment and break the cycle of recidivism. Since 2006 Wisconsin Books to Prisoners has sent over 50,000 books to prisoners in our state. Volunteers meet weekly on today and every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Social Justice Center, 1202 Williamson Street. If you’d like to get involved, email wisconsinbookstoprisoners@gmail.com.
WORT’s fall pledge drive will launch on Wednesday, September 25th, running through Tuesday, October 8th. On-line sign-up for pledge phone shifts is now available on the WORT website at www.wortfm.org. Or, call 608-321-9596 during business hours to nail down those spots to support your favorite shows. Please sign-up as soon as possible. Thanks for your support!
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. I’m Greg Geboski. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
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