Speaking of terrorists, on May 9, 1907, IWW leader Bill Haywood was tried for the killing of former Idaho governor--and vicious union-buster--Frank Steunenberg
The trial was a slam-dunk for the prosecution, except for one thing: Haywood was represented by Clarence Darrow. Here's a section of his famous closing summary:
"I speak for the poor, for the weak, for the weary, for that long line of men who, in darkness and despair, have borne the labors of the human race," Darrow told the jury. "Their eyes are on you twelve men of Idaho tonight. If you should decree Bill Haywood's death, in the railroad offices of our great cities men will applaud your names.… In every bank in the world, where men hate Haywood because he fights for the poor and against that accursed system upon which the favored live and grow rich and fat," they would "receive blessings and unstinted praise." But "Out on our broad prairies where men toil with their hands, out on the wide ocean where men are tossed and buffeted on the waves, through our mills and factories, and down deep under the earth, thousands of men, and of women and children will kneel tonight and ask their God to guide your hearts—these men and women and these little children, the poor, the weak, and the suffering of the world, are stretching out their helpless hands to this jury in mute appeal for Bill Haywood's life."
In my view, both Haywood and Ayers were screwed up and their violence set progressive movements back. But in both cases, they became scapegoats for the most virulent right-wing elements of society to justify their repressive policies.
I guess we need another lawyer from Chicago--like Darrow-- to speak up today for the common man! Oh--right...WE HAVE ONE!
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