On this day in 1918, Canadian socialist and labor activist Albert “Ginger” Goodwin was murdered by police while avoiding his draft into World War I by hiding out in the hills of Cumberland, British Columbia.
Born in Yorkshire, England on May 10th, 1887, Goodwin immigrated to Canada in 1909, at the age of 19, working as a coal miner in Nova Scotia.
In Canada, he organized with the Socialist Party of Canada and became a notable labor leader during the 1912–1914 Coal Miner’s Strike against Canadian Collieries. Following the strike, he was blacklisted and was forced to move away from Cumberland to find work.
In 1916, he joined the Mining and Smelter workers Union and was elected as Secretary for the Trail chapter. Following his involvement with trade unions, Goodwin entered politics running as a candidate for the Socialist Party of Canada in the 1916 British Columbian election, although he did not win.
As World War I broke out, Goodwin became an outspoken advocate against the draft, initially refusing to sign up. When conscription became law in 1917, Goodwin was classified as fit for military service even though earlier health concerns had previously rendered him temporarily unfit. By then he had enemies not only in management and the government but also in the union of which he had been president. After twice vainly appealing his reclassification, he and several other draft evaders hid in the bush near Cumberland, where they were provided with supplies by people from the town. Police Constable Dan Campbell tracked Goodwin down and killed him. Campbell was charged with manslaughter but was exonerated before a grand jury, meeting in camera.
Goodwin’s friends, both then and in the years since, have pointed out many discrepancies in the official record. On the day of his funeral, August 2, the Trades and Labor and Metal Trades Council of Vancouver called all members out for 24 hours to protest “the shooting of Brother A. Goodwin.” The overwhelming response gave BC its first general strike.
“War is simply part of the process of Capitalism. Big financial interests are playing the game. They’ll reap the victory, no matter how the war ends.”
- Albert Goodwin
Megathreads and spaces to hang out:
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Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):
Aid:
- 💙Comprehensive list of resources for those in need of an abortion – reddit link
- 💙Resources for Palestine
Theory:
My roommates friend and his boyfriend are staying at my apartment this weekend which is already annoying. Said roommates friend frequently gets belligerent when he drinks. Just found out they’ll likely be drinking on two of the nights they’re staying here. I swear if this mf keeps me up all night I’ll tell them they can find somewhere else to stay. The only time I get to see my fiance is when he’s in town on the weekend and now we’re gonna be holed up in our room to get away from them. Ugh.
