The history of the raised fist, a global symbol of fighting oppression
The forceful salute is intertwined with some of the 20th century’s most tumultuous events, including conflicts with fascism.
One of the earliest known instances in the U.S. of a protester brandishing a raised fist occurred in 1913, when “Big Bill” Haywood spoke to strikers during the Paterson silk strike in New Jersey. Haywood, a founding member of the union Industrial Workers of the World, preached working-class solidarity across all races and trades. Source:…
