Employers, the federal and Manitoba governments, the Mayor of
Winnipeg and "concerned citizens" reacted angrily and aggressively
against the Winnipeg General Strike. Many claimed the strike was
driven by the One Big Union, Bolsheviks and European immigrants.
It was not; however, the combined force of the groups who opposed
the strike was enough to deal a devastating blow to both the strike
and the labour movement in general.
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"Special
policeman" armed with club
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Extract from an open letter by the Mayor of Winnipeg, Manitoba
Free Press, June 23, 1919.
Any foreigners who make any threats of any kind or in
any way intimidate or worry would-be workers in the
slightest degree can expect immediate deportation to
Russia or wherever they come from. We intend to purge
the city of any lawless element and prosecute to the full
rigour of the law. On the other hand, all law-abiding
citizens can feel free to go about their business in
the full realization that British law will protect them
to the limit. No further open-air meetings, either in
parks, streets or public places, will be permitted until
further notice.
GOD SAVE THE KING!
Charles F. Gray, Mayor
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Date Created: October 28, 1999 | Last Updated: July 30, 2010