Elmer Smith (activist)

Elmer Smith (1888–1932) was a 20th-Century American lawyer and Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union defender (known as Wobblies), who played a key role in the 1919 Centralia massacre (Washington).

A pacifist, he strongly encouraged union members to pursue a non-violent course and to try to reach a peaceful arrangement with the other residents of Centralia.

The landlady for the hall and Britt Smith (no relation[3]), the local IWW secretary, contacted law enforcement and asked for protection, but were told nothing was possible.

The IWW members interpreted this legal advice as justification to arm themselves for what they perceived as an inevitable and dangerous confrontation.

[4] However, considering Elmer Smith's strong belief in non-violence and seeming good character, it is doubtful that armed conflict was his objective.