Workers of the World Unite!
Paris – 1936 – May 4th
[One of Evelyn's photographs of people parading through Paris]
Paris, the City of Lights, the city that was the heart of the commune of France. It was the beating heart of the commune. The city was filled with more activity then normal. Just a month ago, there was an election and now it was being prepared for the First Congress of the International. Posters and signs from across the world were here to announce speakers and events as well as to help bring together the workers of the world.
May 1st, May day or International Workers Day was the official opening of the Event, with
Benoît Frachon of the recently elected Travailleurs faction was there to open the event; Though the congress itself was not going to start for another couple of days. Parades were held throughout the week leading up to the Congress of delegates from across the world.
Evelyn and Charles were sitting outside at a small table at the Le Dôme Café while Evelyn was looking over some of the photos they took of the events so far while Charles read one of the british papers talking about the election in the Union of Britain.
“
It looks Annie Kenney has won the election in the Britain..” Charles said as he took a puff from a cigarette.
“
Well I am glad that it was her over the Moseley and his Maximists. Though I do not know much on Kenney. Isn't she a pacifist?” Evelyn replied before she took a sip of coffee.
“
Correct, she detests war and is also an isolationist. Though apparently not that big she wouldn't send a delegate for the congress. I guess we will have to see how much of an Isolationist she is.” Charles replied as he smoked before speaking again, “
Though I do agree I am glad that it wasn't Moseley. The idea that democracy is not necessary for Socialism to exist is insane.”
“
Every scholar and philosopher on socialism and syndicalism states that democracy and socialism are inseparable.” Evelyn replied with a shake of her head.
“Anyways the photos of the various May Day Parades and the other Parades that were held so far this week have come out rather nice.” She said as she showed Charles some of the pictures they have taken of the event so far.
“
They are Great Evie, I am sure that the editors at The Masses will love them.” Charles said with a smile.
“
Here is hoping, and the main event has yet to begin as well. Though we should not neglect to get pictures for ourselves.” Evelyn said with a little coy smile.
Paris – 1936 – May 8th
[Crowds listening to the opening of the Congress - taken by Charles]
The Congress room was packed with numerous people, journalists from numerous countries and organizations from around the world. Earlier in the day speeches dedicated to working together to stop Capitalism which was followed by a speech by Joaquín Ascaso Budriá talking about White Terror against the workers throughout Europe. Then came Comrade John 'Jack Reed's turn to speak which both Evelyn and Charles payed especially close attention towards.
“
Thank you Comrade Budriá for illustrating the horrors that the capitalists countries do to the people all across the world. We in America know very well the horrors of white terror. Many in America remember the Coal Wars and in particular the Mingo War.
For those unfamiliar with the Mingo War that occurred in America; It was a conflict between good honest miners of West Virginia and their families looking to better themselves and the lying deceiving Corporations that owned the mines and the towns. Nearly Ten Thousand miners went on strike and then armed themselves to keep their families safe from the goons and thugs of the capitalists that claimed they owned the mines.
They would take control of the mines and the nearby town of Mingo. However, the mine companies responded by calling in the army and air corps to work as a gangster for capitalism. Thanks to the butchers William Mitchell and Don Chaffin dropped bombs and chemical gas on American Families. Numerous families were butchered thanks to the actions of those two men, men, women and children.” Jack Reed said pausing, while a collective gasp and murmuring swept the hall at the mention of gas being used by Americans.
“
As sad as it is to hear, we all know how the capitalists in control of Washington dealt with the miners. They came in with the army and told us that if they surrender they would be forgiven. It was a lie. They took this as a way to just slaughter us like cattle. This was unfortunately not the first nor the last time that the Government would slaughter workers.
Conditions of course in America have not improved but merely gotten worse. The Wall Street Crash ushered in a Great Depression where the failings of Capitalism were put on display for all to see. In the nearly ten years since this stock market crash nothing has been done for the American people. From Coast to Coast, the conditions have barely changed. Even just this year they did not lift a finger as a massive flood wrecked the state of Pennsylvania. As long as the Capitalists have control of Washington they shall never lift a finger to help the people.
The conditions are ripe now more then ever for Socialism to come to America. Syndicalism can come to America. I am running for Presidency of the United States to bring about this change. I do not imagine that this shall be an easy task, but I am confident that I can bring syndicalism to America. I am running for Presidency as I believe in using every tool to bring syndicalism to America. This includes running for democracy in Bourgise democracy as long as we never forgot to constantly move forward to bring the revolution forward. I also fully expect to face the full might of capitalist America determined to defeat me.
Already in the southern United States, you have Huey Long which talks about going into Washington to make himself a king, a benevolent dictator who will just share his wealth with the people. Yet we all know here that no capitalists will ever truly share their wealth with the people. He and his goons stand against the people of America. Then there is MacArthur and the Army. While the American Army does have plenty of honest men working within the organization, it also has far too many willing to make the whole country like Mingo County.
If it comes to something like that, then so be it. America will take up arms. We took up arms once before and we shall do so again. We shall follow in the footsteps of the French and English and Mexican comrades who broke their own chains. So America asks of France, will you stand with us? America asks of our Mexican Comrades, will you stand with us? America asks of our British Comrades, will you stand with us? When the American Revolution begins, and the revolution is rapidly approaching here in the United States, will America stand alone or together with humanity across the world?”
With that Jack Reed ended his speech and crowd that was listening to him stood up to give him a standing ovation. The French chairman stood up and spoke loud and clear,
“France will stand with the workers of America.”. The various other delegates stood up and announced their support for the Jack Reed and the American workers. After taking several photos of Reed, Evelyn looked to Charles while they were also giving a standing ovation, whispered,
“I pray to God that he wins the election.”
The Congress would go continue with Helen Crawfurd taking to the stage to proclaim for women's involvement in the worldwide revolution. As Helen ended her speech, Evelyn, along with most in the room, stood up and raised her left fist into the air. Charles did like wise as he took pictures of the people in the room.
Delegates from the Socialist Republic of Italy and the Bharatiya Commune would follow giving speeches to ask for aid for re-unification of both Italy and India. Both of which the other delegates affirmed that they would have the support needed. Their were speeches from the delegates from numerous Latin American countries about the need to nurture Syndicalism in the region. The Congress ended with everyone singing the Internationale mostly in french though plenty others sang it in their own language, such as English for Evelyn and Charles.
