Skip to main content
World in brief: May 17, 2024
A ship is seen off the coast of Gaza near a U.S.-built floating pier that will be used to facilitate aid deliveries, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, May 16, 2024

UNITED STATES: A mural honouring the 20th-century African-American labour organiser Ben Fletcher is set to be unveiled in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Mr Fletcher (1890–1949) was a prominent member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). He helped co-found the city’s branch of the Marine Transport Workers Industrial Union in 1913 — which at the time was uniquely inter-racial.

He went on to organise with the IWW across the East Coast. His union organising caught the attention of the authorities, who jailed him for three years for “treasonous activities.”

Donate to the Fighting Fund
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
The crowd at Manchester Punk Festival 2024
Culture / 11 April 2025
11 April 2025
Ben Cowles speaks with IAN ‘TREE’ ROBINSON and ANDY DAVIES, two of the string pullers behind the Manchester Punk Festival, ahead of its 10th year show later this month
SETTING AN EXAMPLE: Watford’s and Norwich City players tak
Features / 13 March 2025
13 March 2025
Ben Cowles previews his interview with Stand Up to Racism’s SABBY DHALU for the Morning Star’s new Youtube channel