Today in Labor History—November 16

British Press Gang, 1780 (wiki commons)

November 16, 1747 – The Knowles Riot occurred in Boston, with hundreds of sailors, laborers and free blacks rising up against British Navy Press Gangs. Commodore Knowles routinely had Bostonians kidnapped and forced to work on his ships. Protestors were able to kidnap several of Knowles’ officers, holding them hostage until all Bostonians were freed from his ships. (From theDaily Bleed)

Dostoevsky, 1879 (public domain)

November 16, 1849 -- Russia: Author Fyodor Dostoevsky receives a death sentence for engaging in socialist activities; later commuted to four years hard labor in Siberia. (From the Daily Bleed)

Élisée Reclus (public domain)

 November 16, 1871 -- France: Élisée Reclus is sentenced to transportation for life for his role in the Paris Commune; but, largely at the instance of influential deputations from England, the famed geographer & anarchist had his sentence commuted in January 1872 to perpetual banishment. (From theDaily Bleed)

November 16, 1989 - Six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter were assassinated in El Salvador. They were among thousands killed by the military and right-wing death squads for speaking out for economic and social justice. (From Workday Minnesota)