1917: The Great Bisbee Deportation
It’s 1917 with the U.S. at war with Germany and a labor strike occurring at the Bisbee, Arizona copper mines. On July 12, the sheriff, with the help of 2000 deputies, rounded up over 2000 people, put 1186 of those individuals in box cars with floors covered in cow dung, and deported these men to the New Mexican town of Columbus, in the middle of the desert. While this act was later condemned by a presidential commission, nothing was done to hold the sheriff and others accountable. Why were these people deported? What were the competing values on all sides? What are the implications of this historical event to what is happening 100 years later?
Mike Todt is local historian, with a Ph.D. in history from West Virginia University. Having retired to Durango four years ago, he is fascinated with western history focusing on labor and health care in the Four Corners region. When not reading history or writing, he is an avid road biker, hiker, and participant in numerous community organizations.
Lectures are held in the CSWS Lyceum Room #120 at 1:30 pm
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