Aug. 15, 1896: Socialist Labor Party Members Arrested for Public Speech

August 15 1896, eight members of the Socialist Labor Party were arrested for public speech on 7th and Market St in San Francisco at a rally in support of free speech, called after another SLP member, William Edlin, was arrested and convicted for speaking on the street.

Edlin, and the eight SLP members arrested at the rally in his support, were found guilty on charges of “obstructing the street” and “disturbing the peace.” During their arrest, as the police wagon began to head off to the station, the crowd chanted “Three cheers for socialism!”

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