One hundred years ago on this date, a terror bombing took place in San Francisco on Market St. that led to the loss of 10 people with many injured. It was called Preparedness Day and was a march to get ready for world war. At the same time there was a growing and militant labor and anti-war movement in San Francisco and the entire country.

This bombing led to a massive attack on unions, labor and radical activists against the growing war campaign. Two labor activists and radicals, Tom Mooney and Warren Billings, were arrested and charged with planning the bombing. They were convicted and nearly went to their deaths. The labor movement took up their case and declared that this was a political frame-up. After decades of defense work they were finally released.

Writer Steven C. Levi, who has written about San Francisco’s tumultuous history in COMMITTEE OF VIGILANCE: The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Law and Order Committee, 1916-1919, will present the story of what happened on July 22, 1916 and how it affected the lives and people of San Francisco and the country.
This forum is also co-sponsored by Institute For Historical Study.