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Meyer London (1871-1926), a Russian Jewish immigrant, settled in
New York's Lower East Side in 1891. He became a lawyer, labor
activist, founding member of the Socialist Party of America, and a
three term Congressman, advocating peaceful and gradual methods and
refusing to take rigid doctrinal positions. Elected to Congress in
1914 as the lone Socialist he demonstrated political skill and
courage. London urged unemployment, health and old age insurance,
and fought attempts to restrict immigration. At the outbreak of
World War I, he urged strict neutrality, voting against
declarations of war on Germany and Austria-Hungary (but once the
U.S. intervened, London supported the war). In 1918, a fusion
candidate defeated London, questioning his ""Americanism."" He
returned to Congress in 1920, where in the face of the pro-business
Harding Administration he continued to fight for economic and
social justice. Defeated in 1922, London resumed his law practice,
and once again became involved in union affairs. His untimely death
in 1926 caused shock waves among his fellow Lower East Siders for
whom the beloved London had become a folk hero.
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