August Spies

August Spies was a German-born journalist and labor activist who played a significant role in advocating for workers' rights in early 20th-century America. He was a prominent leader of the Chicago anarchist movement and co-founded the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), aiming to improve conditions for miners, factory workers, and laborers. Spies is most known for his involvement in the Haymarket Affair of 1886, where a peaceful rally advocating for an eight-hour workday turned violent, leading to his arrest and execution. His legacy highlights the struggles for labor reform and the risks faced by activist leaders.