The forgotten battle of East Lansing
3 days ago
- On June 7, 1937, a labor dispute between the UAW and Capital City Wrecking Company escalated into the 'Battle of East Lansing'.
- Union leaders and their wives were arrested for violating a court injunction, prompting a citywide Labor Holiday with 15,000 workers shutting down Lansing.
- Union members from Lansing marched into East Lansing to close businesses, but Michigan State College students resisted, forming a human blockade and physically confronting them.
- Students pulled union men from cars, overturned vehicles, and tossed several into the Red Cedar River, effectively driving the union forces back.
- Despite the student victory, the union achieved its goal: Capital City Wrecking Company signed a contract recognizing the UAW, and charges against union leaders were dropped.