Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis

In the chapter, "What Is Anarchism?" social revolutionary Parsons explained how his strain of anarchist socialism derived its name and purpose from the Greek words for "no" and "government." Albert R. Parsons (1848-1887), former Confederate soldier, American anarchist and Haymarket martyr, was one of the four hanged for his alleged involvement in the bombing in Chicago's Haymarket Square on May 4, 1886. Albert, was one of the Haymarket martyrs, those labor and anarchist leaders fighting for an eight-hour day who were unfairly tried and hung for their role in police riots on May 3, 1886. Albert was not even present at the meeting where a mysterious bomb killed a police officer. The last lines in this book were written as he was being taken from his cell to the gallows. He met his wife, Lucy, in 1870 and they were soon married, in violation of laws against "race-mixing." She was born in Texas during the Civil War to parents who were likely slaves; she had Black, Mexican and American Indian roots. Lucy was among the organizers of the attempted strike in 1886 that led to the bombing, and she continued to be active in the radical wing of the labor movement until her death in 1942. May Day, International Workers Day, celebrated every May 1, commemorates the Haymarket martyrs and the struggle of all working people.