Jacob Coxey, the first March on Washington, and political protest

Coxey Speaking on the Steps of Capitol, 1914
Coxey Speaking on the Steps of Capitol, 1914 - Library of Congress , Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing
Jacob ‘General’ Coxey, 1914
Jacob ‘General’ Coxey, 1914 - Library of Congress , Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing

coxey

This website is devoted to the life of Jacob Coxey (1854-1951), the first march on Washington by “Coxey’s Army” in the spring of 1894, and the origins of political protest in the United States.

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the march
Map of Massillon, Ohio, approximately 1900
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The Speech Jacob Coxey (Almost) Never Gave

When participants in Coxey’s Army (estimated at 500 people) reached Washington on May 1, 1894, having started their march in Massillon, Ohio, they were met by 1500 soldiers, with more on call in case of trouble.  Jacob Coxey went to speak, but only managed to make it through the first two paragraphs, before getting arrested for walking on the grass.

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Jacob Coxey in jail, standing at window, behind bars (1894)
Coxey Behind the Bars - from WNET/PBS
articles

Columns, articles, editorials, and stories on Jacob Coxey, his influence on movements for social change and his impact on public policy.

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Critical Debate – 1894: Coxey’s Army Tests Limits on Protest | NewseumED

The Right to Protest and State Constitutions | State Court Report – May 15, 2024

The Wyoming March of Coxey’s Army | WyoHistory.org – May 31, 2022

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Fair Use on this website

CoxeysArmy.org is making these materials available in an effort to advance the understanding of free speech, economic policy, politics, democracy, and social justice issues. We believe that this constitutes a “fair use” of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

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