100th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Commemorative Series:

Then and Now:  Immigrants, Workers and the Search for Justice.
 

            On March 25, 1911, fire broke out in New York City’s Triangle Shirtwaist Factory and 146 workers, mostly young Jewish and Italian immigrant women, died.  Exit doors had been locked, elevators failed, fire escapes crumbled, and the fire department's ladders did not reach high enough.  In the aftermath of this disaster, the owners were acquitted of responsibility by a jury.  But, immigrant women garment workers across the city built up the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) and negotiated economic and physical security, while the city government enacted new regulations about workplace safety and inspections. 

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire became a major memorial day in U.S. labor history.  This spring across the United States, commemorative events will mark the 100th anniversary of one of America’s worst industrial tragedies.  Jewish Community Action, together with a range of historical, educational, labor, immigrant rights, and social justice organizations, will mark the anniversary with a series of events in March and April:

Sunday, March 6th at 3pm – John B. Davis Auditorium at Macalester College 

Film Screening on the Fire and Panel Discussion

Panelists include Hy Berman, Liban Ali, representatives from CTUL and more TBA.

Sunday, March 27th at 2pm –  Mount Zion Temple

Jewish Community Action’s 9th Annual Immigrant Freedom Seder

A Passover Seder commemorating the Fire and highlighting ongoing immigrant and worker issues.  Led by Rabbi Amy Eilberg and featuring stories from multiple immigrant groups, past and present.

Sunday, April 3rd at 1pm – Sabes Jewish Community Center

Film Premiere of New Faces of MN-Meet Us, Photo Exhibit and Panel Discussion

Jewish Community Action and VOICE will co-sponsor the screening of a new film about the experiences of immigrants from Russia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. 

April 10th at 10 am – Sabes Jewish Community Center

The Minneapolis Yiddish Vinkl’s Commemorative Event: The Shoah and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Remembering and Honoring our Past

Jewish Community Action encourages members to attend the Minneapolis Yiddish Vinkl’s event will highlight the immigrant experience and the Holocaust through poems, song and other cultural expressions

Throuought March—Twin Cities Wide at Congregations and in Homes

D’vrei Torah and Study Sessions

A coordination of teachings and talks on the Fire, as well as past and present immigrant and labor stories.  We will also distribute a Haggadah insert for home use during Pesach.

For more information about this series, please contact Lauren Bastien, Jewish Community Action staff, lauren@jewishcommunityaction.org, 651-632-2184, www.jewishcommunityaction.org.

*Please note additional events related immigrant and workers’ rights:

We encourage you to attend the 14th Annual Untold Stories labor history program with the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.  Please  visit their website at www.thefriends.org.

Wednesday, April 13th at 7PM - Beth Jacob Congregation/Sunday, April 17th at 7PM – Macalester College

Premiere MN Screening of AbUSEd: The Postville Story:

Luis Argueta will introduce his new film that focuses on the Postville Story and explores various immigrant and worker themes.  For more info please contact vic@jewishcommunityaction.org

Sunday, May 22nd  - Jewish Labor History Bus Tour in St. Paul

Led by Labor Historians Peter Rachleff and Dave Riehle.  This tour, in a 1954 Metro Transit Bus, is sponsored by the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library and their annual "Untold Stories" labor history program. 

FFI: Rachleff@macalester.edu.