The year was 1917. One by one they took the platform along Hewitt Avenue to speak in support of striking mill workers. One by one they were pulled down by police and frog-marched to jail. A woman dedicated to free speech chose to recite from the Declaration of Independence, and was among those hauled away — this despite a city ordinance establishing a measured "speakers corner" for the exercise of First Amendment rights.
Fast forward to Everett today. Community leaders have shown wisdom in restoring important buildings — the library, high school, the Monte Cristo and the Everett Historic Theatre — as living links to our robust past. Why not erect a monument in recognition of turbulent time in local history?
"Verona: The Story of The Everett Massacre," a film by local filmmaker Denise Ohio, screened recently in the historic theater. It reminded the audience that in the early 1900s, the exercise of free speech was a frequent public event on the corners of Hewitt Avenue. These "soapbox" messages heralded a broad range of beliefs and ideologies — fraternal, political, church and labor. Street crowds witnessed the heavy toll of free speech, and that it took great courage to exercise this right — particularly when the establishment felt threatened.
We propose to honor Everett’s past by urging today’s community leaders to commission and dedicate a permanent memorial to this contentious period in our history by installing a modern version of a speaker’s platform in the proposed open space area near the intersection of Wetmore and Hewitt avenues. We envision a life size, bronze "soapbox" and plaque to be designed by a local artist. We hope it will be visited and put back to public use.
This new public space could become our equivalent to the renowned Speakers Corner in London’s Hyde Park, which is a world-famous homage to free expression and a tourist’s must-see. Why not give a real home to our own country’s precious First Amendment right on a popular corner in Everett? What passes as public discourse and analysis today seems largely to be "products" sold by media giants. Can we revive true public opinion sharing? If we build it will they speak?
Similar proposals have been made in the past, but they seem to have gotten lost without public notice and support. Would you want to see this project happen? If so, please contact us at annielyman1230@yahoo.com. We will collate all of your views, form a proposal and direct such suggestions to appropriate community leaders.
Dick Brigham is a retired Everett Community College instructor; Sally Brigham is an educator and Everett native; Annie Lyman is a retired educator.
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