Community marks 80th anniversary of solidarity to resist bigotry (union & Vets came to his aid)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_4928

By Steve Share
17 July 2011

MINNEAPOLIS - In 1931, postal worker and World War I veteran Arthur Lee moved into a new home in south Minneapolis at 4600 Columbus Ave. — where he, his wife and young daughter faced crowds of more than 1,000 people protesting violently to the presence of the black family in what had been an all-white neighborhood.

The Lees did not face this ordeal alone, however: his fellow workers from the post office, joined by fellow World War I vets, came to the Lee home to stand guard to protect the family from the mobs outside.

On Saturday, the south Minneapolis neighborhood where the Lee home still stands marked the 80th anniversary of these events: saying “never again” to the racial intolerance faced by the Lee family and celebrating the people who stood then — and stand now — against racial bigotry.


Arthur and Edith Lee

Participants marched in a solemn procession east on 46th Street to the Lee home at 4600 Columbus Ave. South. There speakers including Arthur Lee’s grandson, Robert Forman, told the story of the Lee family and what happened. A commemorative sculpture was also dedicated.

Members of Branch 9 of the National Association of Letter Carriers helped commemorate how Arthur Lee’s co-workers from the post office came to his aid.

FULL story at link.

Steve Share edits The Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation.

For more information
Visit the July 16th website.

Read a Minneapolis StarTribune report.

Read a StarTribune blog entry.

[SharonAnn]

1. Great story. Thanks.

[Starry Messenger]

2. k&r

[Omaha Steve]

3. Kick