Calumet Village Partners with Keweenaw Foundation for Clemenc Statue Fundraising

A potential statue of 1913 Copper Strike leader “Big Annie” Clemenc has taken a step forward.

The village of Calumet has signed a letter of understanding with the Keweenaw Area Community Foundation to coordinate fundraising for the project. The Foundation’s official involvement will continue until the statue is erected in the village.

Councilor Andrew Ranville did request that some research be done on the potential cost of maintaining the statue, once it’s in place.

Clemenc became the national face of the lengthy and violent strike, leading parades and protests with an oversized American flag, and embarking on a national tour to raise support for the miners.

Along with hearing the update about the statue project at last night’s meeting, the village council also appointed Mark Riggins and Kelly Ryan to the planning commission.