They Were Already Home

About this episode

This episode explores historical and contemporary struggles for worker rights, featuring insights on the Haymarket Affair and the experiences of Mexican American families in the early 20th century.

On this week’s Labor History Today: a powerful look at past and present struggles for worker rights and justice. We revisit the Haymarket Affair and the origins of May Day, then hear from historian Marla Ramírez on the forced “banishment” of Mexican American families in the early 20th century—and how those policies echo in today’s debates over deportation and mixed-status families. Plus, a tribute to Pete Seeger and the music that helped sustain generations of labor and social movements. Questions, comments, or suggestions are welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at LaborHistoryToday@gmail.com Labor History Today is produced by the Labor Heritage Foundation and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. #LaborRadioPod #History #WorkingClass #ClassStruggle @GeorgetownKILWP #LaborHistory @UMDMLA @ILLaborHistory @AFLCIO @StrikeHistory #LaborHistory @wrkclasshistory

People in this episode

Guest: Marla Ramírez

Topics covered

• worker rights
• May Day
• Mexican American families
• deportation
• labor movements
• social justice

Keywords

• labor history
• worker rights
• May Day
• deportation
• Mexican American
• Pete Seeger
• social movements

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labor Heritage Foundation, Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor

Books & works: Pete Seeger

More episodes of Labor History Today

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• The stories labor history remembers—and forgets · May 31, 2026 · 30 min
• They’ll Never Keep Us Down · May 24, 2026 · 30 min
• Whose History Gets Told? · May 17, 2026 · 30 min
• What Haymarket’s Three Monuments Reveal · May 10, 2026 · 29 min
• Can Resistance Revive Labor? · April 26, 2026 · 30 min