Yesterday, the Ludlow Memorial and Tent Colony, just south of Trinidad, Colorado was dedicated as a National Historic Landmark.
Each year, the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) gather at this historic site to pay homage to the men, women and children who died in the historic Ludlow Massacre on April 20th, 1914.
This year was a particularly special year as the site has gained special recognition as a National Historic Landmark. It is one of only four National Historic Landmarks that remember labor history and is the only one that recognizes such a labor struggle.
Coal miners and their families in Ludlow died in 1914 when they went on strike in their struggle for union recognition. They were also striking for enforcement of the eight-hour work day, payment for "dead work" and the right to use any store; choose where they lived and to choose their doctors.
Speakers at the National Historic Landmark Dedication included Bob Butero (UMWA Region IV Director); Mike Cerbo (CO AFL-CIO Executive Director); Buffie McFadyen (Colorado State Representative); Mike Dalpiaz (UMWA International District 22 Vice President); James Green (Ph.D., Massachusetts University - LAWCHA); Elizabeth Jameson (Ph.D., Calgary University - LAWCHA); Daniel J. Kane (UMWA International Secretary-Treasurer); Cecil Roberts (UMWA International President) and Lisa Wegman-French (Senior Advisor to Ken Salazar - U.S. Secretary of the Interior).
Frank Petrucci (above right), whose three siblings died in the Ludlow Massacre, was present at yesterday's event.
UMWA President Cecil Roberts said about the Ludlow miners:
When they were discriminated against because they came from another part of the world - to fight that discrimination, they joined the United Mine Workers. When they were told they had to live in a company house, they joined the United Mine Workers. When they were told they had to go to the company store, they joined the United Mine Workers. When they were killed by the thousands, to fight that, they joined the United Mine Workers of America.
He added, "Thank God for the people of Ludlow, Colorado who had the courage to stand up and fight back" against injustice.
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