Steve Thornton is a retired union organizer and writes for the Shoeleather History Project.com, exploring the stories of working people. He has been a labor educator, tenant organizer, and nonviolence trainer for 45 years and is the author of three books.

A quick survey of our political landscape tells us all we need to know about the national crises we currently face. It seems to many Americans that this is the worst of times. 

That’s where a new Hard Ball Press book comes in. Radical Connecticut: People’s History in the Constitution State by Andy Piascik and Steve Thornton is designed to inspire ordinary people by illuminating past struggles.  They introduce us to stories of union workers, peace activists, civil rights campaigners and many more. Their “history from below” comes to life with almost 100 stories that span decades. 

While the book’s focus is Connecticut, the lessons are universal. “This isn't local nostalgia.The people and events we chronicle are linked in many ways to national and international conflicts,”  Thornton explains. “Our stories provide a broader perspective to help activists everywhere better understand the big picture, the wider movements.”

He continues: “We tend to think anything important that progressives have achieved only took place in the big cities. That’s a significant blind spot. We can all learn from each other.”

The authors have given talks at a dozen venues including union halls, libraries and pubs. At recent Gaza encampments on local college campuses, students were introduced to past “tent cities” set up by war veterans in 1932 and welfare mothers in 1970. Union rank and filers heard about a Bridgeport factory sit-down strike in 1937. Young tenant organizers learned eviction tactics from a 1976 Hartford housing protest. 

“People's history can be told by others besides academics,” Andy Piascik says. “Their accumulated wealth and experience is of the utmost value. We encourage people to tell the stories which have not been told.” Steve Rossignol, Socialist Network