workingclasshistory:

On this day, 23 November 1887, the Thibodaux massacre occured. Black Louisiana sugarcane workers, in cooperation with the racially integrated Knights of Labor, had gone on strike at the beginning of the month over their meager pay issued in scrip (not cash). The scrip was redeemable only at the company store where excessive prices were charged. When the first freeze of the season arrived and damaged the crop, the plantation owners were angered. The Louisiana Militia, aided by bands of “prominent citizens,” shot and killed at least 50 unarmed black sugar workers striking to gain a dollar-per-day wage, and lynched two strike leaders in what became known as the Thibodaux massacre. Here is a brief account: https://ift.tt/2oi8uXn
Pictured: Louisiana cane cutters circa 1880 https://ift.tt/2S4JVIS