Bab 65: Chapter 60: Hunger Strike
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Chapter 60: Hunger Strike
"What is this?!"
As Colin appeared on the projection, Natasha's inner emotions remained unchanged, but she pretended to be surprised on the surface.
She glanced at Songbird beside her, noticing a bewildered expression on her face.
Undoubtedly, Songbird had some impressions of Colin from their previous encounter during "the interview". Colin's level of "expertise" displayed during that interview left a deep impression on them.
Natasha's emotions, on the other hand, were more complicated.
Because she knew very well.
Colin Luper was not a member of the resistance.
The interaction between him and the Dark Avengers had some unexpected elements mixed in.
For this reason, Nick Fury had specifically asked her to investigate if there were any issues with Colin's identity.
"No doubt, Colin Luper is a breakthrough. Regardless of whether his identity is truly that of a resistance member, his contact with the Dark Avengers and others is a real fact."
"Therefore, besides preparing for the possible crackdown on 'unregistered superheroes' in New York City, our task is to fully search for the traces of the Dark Avengers and any clues related to them."
"At the same time, Hydra will cooperate with the Thunderbolts' operation and provide us with necessary assistance to uncover those resistance fighters hiding in the darkness."
"Natasha, you are the most skilled in investigating and tracking. You've also had brief contact with Colin Luper."
Saying that, the Taskmaster looked down at Natasha. "So, the task of investigating Colin Luper will be entrusted to you."
"Understood."
Nodding, Natasha calmly replied.
...
In real world, inside the Messenger News Office.
Unaware that his identity had been exposed to members of the Thunderbolts.
And luckily, it had been assigned to Natasha to handle.
Colin skimmed through the latest newspaper of the day to learn about the recent news events.
In this less connected era, newspapers had become an important source for him to gather information.
"... One of the coldest days of winter, with cold winds roaring from the northwest, about 3,000 to 5,000 workers in front of Ford's factory in Dearborn held banners with slogans that read 'Give Us Work,' 'We Want Bread, Not Crumbs,' and 'Tax the Rich to Feed the Poor,' engaging in a march and demonstration."
"The marchers planned to present 14 demands to Henry Ford, the head of Ford Motor Company, including rehiring the unemployed, providing funds for healthcare, ending racial discrimination in recruitment and promotion, providing winter fuel for the unemployed, canceling the use of company spies and private police against workers, and granting workers the right to organize unions."
"At first, the march remained peaceful, but everything erupted in conflict in front of Ford's factory in Dearborn. The Dearborn police attempted to stop the march by firing tear gas at the crowd and began beating the marchers with batons. As police officers shot at the marchers, causing the unarmed crowd to disperse into the stone-strewn fields, picking up rocks and throwing them at the police."
"The angry marchers regrouped and advanced toward the factory for nearly a mile. Two fire trucks began spraying cold water at the marchers from the overpass, and the police and the factory's security personnel fired at the crowd. Marchers Joe York, Coleman Lenny, and Joe Debrasio were killed, and at least 22 people were injured..."
"As the situation became severe, the organizers decided to cancel the march, and the workers began retreating in an orderly manner. However, Harry Bennett, head of Ford's security department, drove to the scene, opened his window, and began shooting at the unarmed crowd. The workers retaliated by pelting his car with rocks, injuring Bennett, who then got out of the car and continued firing at the retreating crowd. The police and Ford's security personnel also opened fire on the workers with machine guns, killing a 16-year-old boy named Joe Bessel and injuring dozens of people."
"Currently, according to the police's reported results, 48 workers have been arrested, some even being chained to their hospital beds by the police."
The Detroit Hunger Strike March.
Colin quickly scanned through the news in the newspaper, and upon reaching the last line of the report, he quietly withdrew his gaze and sighed.
Detroit, a city filled with tragedy but also self-inflicted wounds.
Perhaps the bitter fruits of its future decline were already planted at this moment.
"Senator calls the workers' wage losses too low, suggesting using one week's income to sustain a month..."
"Edgerton, the Chairman of the National Manufacturers Association, believes that paying wages cannot solve the current plight of the workers. The problem should be dealt with based on demand and efficiency, with essential necessities like food replacing wages. At the same time, Edgerton also stated that he had fulfilled his social welfare responsibilities in the church and was unable to bear any more social responsibilities."
Continuing to the next newspaper on the Detroit Hunger Strike March, Colin felt an inexplicable sense of absurdity.
Clearly, in the previous newspaper, the workers in Detroit had launched a massive march due to hunger and poverty.
But in the subsequent newspaper, it brazenly published reports suggesting workers should have their wages reduced or even not receive wages at all.
The senator and the association chairman who made such statements should consider themselves lucky that they were not in Detroit.
Otherwise, if they dared to utter such words, they would undoubtedly be torn to shreds by enraged workers.
The darkest hour is often the hardest to endure.
When it comes to the Great Depression, people only know about 1929 but fail to realize that the moment when the United States came closest to collapse was in 1932.
During this period, the market value of all listed companies dropped to 11% of the 1929 level, and the money lost by investors could have funded three First World War.
Under hunger and poverty, the desperate masses engaged in numerous life-and-death struggles through strikes. However, the results were far from ideal. Faced with the demonstrations and strikes, Hoover's response was relatively cold-blooded, and the National Guard and armed forces of capital joined forces to brutally suppress the crowds.
Many people who didn't die from hunger during the Great Depression perished under the bullets of suppression.
Police armed with tear gas and riot guns detained all the protesters in temporary camps, denying them water, food, and access to restrooms.
After huddling on the cold ground for 48 hours, the protesters were finally released. As they left, they sang a song they had just learned:
"Arise, ye prisoners of starvation.
Arise, ye wretched of the earth.
For justice thunders condemnation.
A better world's in birth.
No more tradition's chains shall bind us.
Arise, you slaves, no more in thrall!
The earth shall rise on new foundations.
We have been naught, we shall be all."
The Great Depression, an era of struggle against capitalism that ended in failure.
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