Site of the Fresno Free Speech Fight of the Industrial Workers of the World

The Native Sons helped place this bronze for the Wobblies. Frank Little came to Fresno in 1910 to organize the valley's seasonal workers, Chinese, Mexican and Black workers among them, and the city answered by banning speech on its streets and filling its jail with Industrial Workers of the World who rode in from across the West. Jailers turned fire hoses on prisoners who sang, and in December a mob wrecked the union's camp while police stood by. By March 1911 the city gave way. Little was lynched in Butte, Montana, in 1917.

What the plaque says

Site of the Fresno Free Speech Fight At the corner of Mariposa and I streets, from October 1910 to March 1911, the Industrial Workers of the World fought for the right of free speech in their efforts to organize Fresno's unskilled labor force. This was the first free speech fight in California and the first attempt at organizing the valley's unskilled workers. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 873 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Fresno Parlor No. 25, N.S.G.W., October 18, 1974.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Site of First Junior College in California — 0.5 mi
• Fresno Assembly Center — 2.3 mi
• Forestiere Underground Gardens — 7.1 mi
• Pinedale Assembly Center — 7.6 mi