Imagine standing in the heart of Minneapolis’s vibrant North Loop, a place once a hub of commerce and now buzzing with life. But as you gaze upon this historic plaque, a somber hush falls upon the bustling scene. This is the Bloody Friday memorial plaque, a poignant reminder of a dark day in our city’s past.
In 1934, amidst the throes of the Great Depression, Minneapolis was grappling with a series of violent trucker strikes. The North Loop, a major distribution center, was essentially shut down. Truckers felt they couldn’t survive on the paltry wages they were paid. They demanded better treatment. On the other side, the city was divided. Some sided with the striking truckers, while others supported the employers who were desperate to keep their businesses running.
Tensions rose throughout the summer. The streets became battlegrounds. On July 20th, with things at a standstill, both strikers and police clashed at the corner of North Third Street and Sixth Avenue. The scene that unfolded on that day became known as “Bloody Friday.” It was a tragic turning point in the strike, a day remembered for its violence.
Police opened fire on the striking truckers, injuring 67 people. Two strikers, John Belor and Henry Ness, died from their wounds. Their deaths served as a stark reminder of the human cost of the strike. It was a somber reminder for the community of Minneapolis, a city that had never seen anything like it.
As you stand here, you can almost hear the echoes of those fateful events, the shouts of anger, the cries of pain, the thud of bullets hitting flesh. Today, the Bloody Friday memorial plaque stands as a testament to the sacrifices made by the strikers. It honours the courage and determination of those who fought for a better life, reminding us of the enduring legacy of the labor movement in shaping our city. It also stands as a reminder of the importance of peaceful dialogue and understanding in resolving social and economic injustices.