March 10, 1916: 108 years ago, March 10 1916, anarchist Reb Raney distributed 5,000 pro- [...]

108 years ago, March 10 1916, anarchist Reb Raney distributed 5,000 pro-birth control pamphlets at a solidarity rally for Emma Goldman in San Francisco, kickstarting a local birth control campaign by Italian anarchists Gruppo Anarchico Volontá

At the meeting, which about 300 attended, Raney distributed pro-birth control literature to the crowd, who “lapped [them up] like Boston terriers let loose on a bowl of fresh milk.” These were then translated into Italian and distributed by the thousands in SF’s Italian areas

Shortly thereafter, Gruppo Anarchico Volontá member Joseph Macario was arrested for distributing the leaflets. One of the texts begins with the line:

“WORKERS! Procreate only when you like!”

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