August Spies

August Spies (1855–11 November, 1887) was a labor activist, hanged under doubtful circumstances following a bomb attack on police at the Haymarket Riot.

Spies was born in Germany and emigrated to America in 1872. He settled in Chicago where he began his deep involvement with labor causes and ultimately bacame editor of the anarchist journal, Arbeiter Zeitung, in 1880.

On May 1, 1886 labor strife in Chicago culminated in a massive strike in support of the eight-hour day. Over the next few days 340,000 laborers joined strikes throughout the city. On May 3, four workers were killed by police during one such strike.

Known for his aggressive rhetoric, Spiess published a leaflet on May 4th entitled "Revenge! Workingmen to Arms!." It included the passage: "They killed the poor wretches because they, like you, had the courage to disobey the supreme will of your bosses. They killed them to show you 'Free American Citizens' that you must be satisfied with whatever your bosses condescend to allow you, or you will get killed. If you are men, if you are the sons of your grand sires, who have shed their blood to free you, then you will rise in your might, Hercules, and destroy the hideous monster that seeks to destroy you. To arms we call you, to arms."

Later on May 4, Spies spoke during a rally at Haymarket Square. Police were there and requested the crowd to disperse. Violence erupted and a bomb killed four policemen. Seven Men were arrested inclduing Spies.

There were witnesses to testify that none of the seven charged threw the bomb. However, the trial was a sham orchestrated by Chicago's top capitalists in order to cut the heart out of the labor movement in Chicago. All seven were found guilty and sentenced to death.

Three asked for clemency and were pardoned by the Illinois Governor. Of the remaining five, Louis Lingg killed himself in his cell with a Cigar bomb but Spies, Albert Parsons, Adolph Fischer, and George Engel were hung on November 11, 1887.

As he faced his demise on the gallows Spies shouted out: "There will be a time when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today!"

In fact these words were prophetic, the whole affair became a rallying event for the world labor struggle. It is remembered every year on May Day parades throughout the world.