Workers in North Providence, Rhode Island (USA) were viciously set upon and attacked by police as they participated in a union march organised by the Industrial Workers of the World on August 11.
Over thirty members of the union along with supporters were marching to ‘Jackie’s Galaxy’, a restaurant chain supplied by New-York based company HWH, which is alleged to use slave labour conditions including 110 hour weeks.
Marchers were surrounded and attacked by a large force of police, who used mace spray (a chemical agent) and dislocated the leg of one worker, Alex Svoboda, who now requires at least two operations and extensive rehab as a result.
The march continued to its destination despite the extreme provocation from police and was able to speak with the owner of the restaurant, who has now agreed to switch to a new supplier.
IWW member, Alex Svoboda, is now being charged with three felony counts of assault on a police officer and will be unable to work as a result of injuries sustained. The IWW are calling for sympathetic labour groups to show solidarity and help out with medical bills and legal support.
Another marcher, who was severely maced by the police according to the IWW, required medical treatment.
The IWW is a syndicalist union which was founded in the US in 1905 and once boasted an international membership of 100,000. It currently has a membership of 2,000 but has been growing throughout the US, Canada and parts of the UK.
Famous ‘Wobblies’ include Joe Hill, James Connolly, Jim Larkin and Noam Chomsky.
