Chicago Lager Beer Riot - Fair Wear - Unisex Organic T-Shirt - FREE DELIVERY

Design about the Lager Beer Riot, which occurred on April 21, 1855, in Chicago, Illinois. It was the first major civil disturbance in the city predating the 1886 Haymarket Riot, which led to the 1st of May becoming Global Workers' Day. Chicago's mayor targeted the mostly German working-class immigrants in the city, who on Sundays—their only day off per week—socialized in the small taverns that dotted the North Side of Chicago. The mayor, named Levi Boone, renewed enforcement of an old local ordinance mandating that taverns be closed on Sundays and also led the city council to raise the cost of a liquor license from $50 per year to $300 per year, renewable quarterly. German-language newspapers, such as the Illinois Staatszeitung, and social movements like the Turners and German craft unions gave the German population of Chicago a high degree of social and political cohesiveness. Additionally, the Forty-Eighters among them had previously used demonstrations as a political tool during the European revolutions of 1848. Despite the renewed enforcement of Chicago's liquor ordinance, tavern owners continued to sell beer on Sundays. That resulted in over 200 Germans being arrested in violation of both the license and the Sunday ordinances. The numerous arrests led to the scheduling of a test case for the 21st of April. Saloon keepers decided to unite for defense and resistance and contributed toward a common fund and counsel to represent all. The researcher Robin Einhorn argues that the scheduling of such an event "in effect scheduled the riot." Protesters clashed with police, and waves of angry immigrants stormed the downtown area. As the marchers, coming from the north with fife and drums, approached the Chicago River at Clark Street, the mayor ordered the swing bridges to be opened to stop further waves of protestors from crossing the river. This led to further escalation of violence, which left at least one rioter named Peter Martin dead, and a policeman's arm had to be amputated. Rumours flew throughout the city that more protesters were killed. There is no evidence to support that, but loaded cannons set on the public square contributed to those rumors. The Lager Beer Riot led to a compromise in which the city council lowered the liquor license fee from $300 to $100. The council decided not to release those already imprisoned for not paying the $300 fee, but most of those arrested during the riot were released and not charged. The Lager Beer Riot illustrates the risk German immigrants were willing to bear to protect German saloon owners, whom they perceived as leaders of their community.

This design was done by illustrator and musician Chris W. Jany.

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Made from 100% organic ring-spun cotton, this unisex t-shirt is a total must-have. It's high-quality, super comfy, and best of all—eco-friendly.

• 100% organic ring-spun cotton
• Fabric weight: 5.3 oz./yd.² (180 g/m²)
• Single jersey
• Medium fit
• Set-in sleeves
• 1 × 1 rib at collar
• Wide double-needle topstitch on the sleeves and bottom hems
• Self-fabric neck tape (inside, back of the neck)
• The fabric of this product holds certifications for its organic cotton content under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard)
• The fabric of this product is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and PETA-Approved Vegan
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh

The sizes correspond to a smaller size in the US market, so US customers should order a size up.

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

Size guide