Our June meeting featured Buffalo City Planner and preservationist, Chris Hawley, whose presentation introduced, “Casimer Mazurek and the Great Steel Strike of 1919.” Casimer “Charles” Mazurek was a 26-year-old decorated World War I veteran who was born in what is now Zaklików, Podkarpackie, Poland (formerly in the Russian Empire). Having fought for his new country, Casimir was shot to death by his own employer while on the picket line in the opening days of the 1919 General Steel Strike. Hawley explained that workers in steel mills at that time typically worked 12-hour shifts and 7-day work weeks in dangerous conditions. The strike, which involved several hundred thousand workers at steel mills across the nation, included workers from Lackawanna Steel, the predecessor of Bethlehem Steel.

Tensions on the picket line led to steel plant guards opening fire on the crowd. Casimir Mazurek was killed instantly, and Maciej Buczkowski died of his injuries several days later. A three-year-old boy, Frank Werlak, was also injured. Despite these deaths, the strike was ultimately unsuccessful, as the strikers achieved none of their demands.

In keeping with the theme of the presentation, the meeting was held at Eugene V. Debs Hall, a long vacant, historic tavern on Buffalo’s East Side that has been restored and reactivated as a social club by our presenter, Chris Hawley, together with 265 founding members. A good time was had by all!

Below are some photos from the meeting. The recording is now available on our Meeting Recordings page for members to access.