Jewish Radicals: A Documentary Reader

41. In Honor of Red Sunday (1906)

| 211 41 In Honor of Red Sunday (1906) New York Times The 1905 Russian Revolution captured the attention of immigrant Jews and Americans broadly, setting off a flurry of political debate and fund-raising activity on behalf of the major revolutionary parties. Jewish socialists continued to commemorate the events of 1905 even after the revolution’s collapse. The first anniversary of “Red Sunday,” of Jan. 22, 1905, when thousands of Russian workingmen were shot down in St. Petersburg while endeavoring to submit an appeal to the Czar, was celebrated in New York yesterday. Between 5,000 and 6,000 Polish, Roumanian, German, and Russian Jews gathered at Rutgers Square, in East Broadway, and to the step of the “Marsellaise ” marched through the lower east side up to Union Square, where they assembled to hear half a dozen speeches denunciatory of the Czar and to adopt resolutions calling for Russian freedom. There had been expectations that at least 50,000 men and women would participate in the parade, but the threatening weather kept the number down. There was no lacking in enthusiasm, however, and as the parade filed through its three or four miles of march its decorations of red were met with cheers. [. . .] There were 1,000 women in line carrying all sorts of emblems and transparencies , and a dozen bands enlivened the march. The men and women carried red banners or ribbons and wore bouquets of carnations. [. . .] Some of the transparencies read: “Proletarians of all countries unite.” “Long live the Jewish Bund’s struggle for rights.” “Workingmen unite in all countries.” “Hurrah for Socialism.” “Down with anti-Semiticism.” 212 | The Russian Revolution “Heroes of St. Petersburg, Odessa, Lodz, and Warsaw, we honor you on this side of the Atlantic.” The first division of the parade was under the command of Grand Marshals Shapiro and Golden and comprised members of the various labor unions of the east side. It included, among others, the members of the United Hebrew Trades. The second division was under the command of Assistant Marshal Lewensohn and included the Bundist Society and the Socialist Revolutionaries of Russia. The third division embraced the Workmen’s Circle and twenty-five branches of organized labor, the membership of which included many women. The female contingent consisted mainly of members of the Ladies’ Cloth, Hat, and Cap Makers, the Dressmakers’ Union, and the Lady Tailors’ Union. As the parade lined up before the cottage in Union Square half a dozen speakers gathered to address it. The crowd was so large that two overflow meetings were held. Jack London and “Mother” Jones had been scheduled for addresses, but did not appear. An American flag was unfurled, and then black and red banners were waved. The gathering cheered. Ex-Mayor Chase1 was the first speaker. He said that the gathering had appeared as citizens and workingmen to register a protest against the Czar, against plutocracy, and against absolutism. “We are here,” he declared, “to demand Socialism in the United States and to give notice that we will not stand for any bloody Sundays in the United States.” Abraham Cahan, editor of The Forward, said: “The next ruler of Russia will be named ‘Workingman,’ and not ‘Romanoff.’ Meyer London,2 Alexander Jonas,3 Dr. Pollack, Dr. Schillowsky,4 and B. Feigenbaum5 also addressed the meeting. The resolutions adopted expressed sympathy with the people of all nationalities of Russia who were struggling for liberty. The massacre of the Jews and autocratic government were denounced, and the repeal of our extradition treaty with Russia was demanded. Several persons were slightly injured during last night’s parade. While the line was turning from Houston Street into Avenue A a horse attached to a peddler’s wagon, driven by David Brownstein of 310 East 102d Street, became excited at the fireworks, and plunged into the crowd on the corner, slightly injuring Annie Bloom, a sixteen-year-old girl; Blanche Gardner, 17 years old; Morris Christ, 27 years old, and Herman Kalamar, 19 years old. [. . .] Source: “Red Sunday Parade Was a Mild Affair,” New York Times, Jan. 23, 1906, p. 6. In Honor of Red Sunday | 213 Notes 1. John C. Chase, former Socialist Party mayor of Haverhill, Massachusetts. 2. Meyer London (1871–1926), prominent labor lawyer and activist, elected to Congress on the Socialist Party ticket in 1914, 1916, and 1920. 3. Alexander Jonas (1834–1912), German-born journalist and socialist leader. 4. The author...