What's Happening?
On June 7, 1937, East Lansing witnessed a confrontation between Michigan State College students and members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union from Lansing, an event now known as the 'Battle of East Lansing.' The conflict erupted after Lansing police
arrested several union leaders, including Nevah Washburn, wife of UAW Local 182 president Lester Washburn, leading to a 'Lansing Labor Holiday' where approximately 15,000 union members protested. Union members extended their protest into East Lansing, attempting to close businesses. Michigan State College students, armed with concrete reinforcing rods, resisted these efforts, particularly to protect their local eateries. The confrontation escalated, with students pulling union men from vehicles, flipping at least one car, and throwing between eight and 20 individuals into the Red Cedar River. The students, including ROTC members, formed human blockades and engaged in physical altercations, pushing the union forces back towards Lansing. Governor Frank Murphy, present at the MSC stables, declined a request from ROTC cavalry for horses, deeming it 'too Cossack-like,' and observed the events from a nearby hill.
Why It's Important?
The 'Battle of East Lansing' is a significant, albeit largely forgotten, historical event that illustrates the intense labor disputes and social tensions of the 1930s in the United States. It highlights the clash between emerging labor power and established community interests, particularly those of students dependent on local businesses. The incident underscores the volatile nature of union organizing during a period of significant economic upheaval and the lengths to which both sides were willing to go to assert their rights or protect their interests. The involvement of college students, often seen as a more privileged group, in direct conflict with working-class union members, reveals a complex social dynamic and differing perspectives on economic justice and community autonomy. This event also provides a localized example of the broader national struggle for workers' rights and the often-violent resistance encountered by labor movements.
What's Next?
Following the 'Battle of East Lansing,' the immediate outcome was the release of arrested union leaders and the dropping of charges, with Lester Washburn paying a $250 fine. Crucially, the Capital City Wrecking Company signed a contract that same day, allowing the UAW to collectively bargain for its workers, indicating a victory for the labor movement despite the physical confrontations. The event was widely reported in local and state newspapers, with editorials often praising the MSC students. While the 'Battle of East Lansing' itself faded from public memory, it contributed to the ongoing narrative of labor struggles in Michigan, a state central to the auto industry and unionization efforts. The broader implications for labor relations and community responses to industrial action continued to evolve throughout the 20th century.
Beyond the Headlines
The 'Battle of East Lansing' offers a deeper insight into the cultural and ideological divides present in 1930s America. The praise for the students from lawmakers and the media, often framed in terms of 'red-blooded Americans' resisting 'communism,' reflects the anti-union sentiment prevalent in certain segments of society. This narrative often demonized labor organizers and framed their actions as threats to social order. The incident also highlights the role of local institutions, like Michigan State College, and their students in broader societal conflicts. The students' defense of their 'eating places' symbolizes a resistance to external forces disrupting their daily lives, intertwining personal convenience with larger political and economic struggles. This forgotten battle serves as a microcosm of the larger national debate over labor rights, economic power, and the definition of American values during a transformative period.
