Free screening of 'Labor Wars of the Northwest' in Olympia next Thursday

On Thursday, Oct. 24, the Olympia Film Society, in partnership with Thurston-Lewis-Mason Labor Council, will host a free screening of the documentary film “Labor Wars of the Northwest,” directed by David Jepsen, at the Capitol Theater located at 206 Fifth Ave. SE in Olympia.

Jepsen is a local historian and educator who teaches Pacific Northwest history and U.S. history at both the Tacoma and South Puget Sound community colleges.

Doors for the screening open at 6 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m. A panel discussion on the history of labor in South Puget Sound will be held after the showing.

The film takes a look at discontent, radicalism and violence that permeated the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Many came with the arrival of the railroads looking for work in the logging, mining and fishing industries, but instead of steady work found poverty-level wages, long hours and dangerous work environments, organizers stated in the release.

“Labor Wars of the Northwest” also takes a look at specific historical events as the Seattle General Strike of 1919, the Everett Massacre of 1916 and the Centralia Tragedy of 1919.

“During these turbulent times it is incredibly valuable to learn about the history of our region and the struggles we have faced here,” Thurston-Lewis-Mason Labor Council President Rachelle Martin said in the release. “We, as the Thurston-Lewis-Mason Central Labor Council, hope our community will join us for this event to engage in this discussion and the labor movement in our area.”

For more information, contact Martin by calling 360-261-2090 or emailing president@tlmlabor.org .