Wednesday, 6 January 2016
Sunday, 16 August 2015
History Denied or Delayed???
I’m not sure that City officials are out to deny history or they merely have delayed recognition of one of Winnipeg’s most important historical events, the General Strike of 1919.
There is only one official marker
of the Strike put up by the City – a bronze plaque at the corner of William and
Main. Don’t be embarrassed if you have
never seen it, as it is very innocuously placed where only those waiting for a
bus might notice it.
Another plaque was to the right
of the entrance to the City Hall chambers. It was taken down, apparently ‘for
cleaning’ over two years ago and has not been replaced.
The Provincial government has
at least recognized the Strike. There is a very informative display at the
Museum of History. However, another plaque that was in the main hall of the Legislative
building has been removed.
Bruce Owen of the Free Press
recently noted at a public event, that for decades after the Strike there was
virtually no mention of the Strike in city newspapers. This is understandable
as the owners of the media, business and industry were the ones who suppressed the
Strike.
Fortunately that are people in
the City who are keeping the history of the Strike very alive. Thanks to Danny
Schur and STRIKE the Musical, or the Brown family and Victoria Parkette (see
story below). The Winnipeg Labour Council President has spoken often about the
Strike and the Labour History Project has kept this blog active.
Could it be that there is still
a fear in City officials and the ruling elite of Winnipeg, that another general
strike could erupt if there is recognition of what happened before. Possibly
they are just waiting for the 100th anniversary of the Strike to
recognize its contribution to our social history and to then take credit for
the Strike!
Thursday, 30 April 2015
General Strike - 96th Anniversary
MUSEUM OF HISTORY
OTTAWA—A room devoted to the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike could have been excluded from the renovated Canadian Museum of History, but officials promise the labour movement will still have a home in its halls. http://www.historymuseum.ca/home
Toronto Star article
STRIKE Tour - May 24, 2015
The 1919 General Strike Tour took 40 people through the highlights of what happened in 1919, with a look at social and economic conditions that led to the General Strike. The tour reflected on how the echoes of the Strike can be heard in Winnipeg of 2015.
The tour started in the
north end, went to the residential area south of the Assiniboine River and ended in the Exchange area of the city, particularly on the Red River at Victoria Park.
Participants said they found the tour informative and particularly were pleased to learn about Victoria Park and the lack of effort on the part of government to commemorate this important moment in Winnipeg's history.
Participants said they found the tour informative and particularly were pleased to learn about Victoria Park and the lack of effort on the part of government to commemorate this important moment in Winnipeg's history.
Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Victoria Parkette
Who knows where the Victoria Parkette is located?
It is a small section of land, at the corner of Lily and James, near the waterfront. It is intended to remind everyone of Victoria Park that was once a central feature of the City's park infrastructure.
The owners of the land have set up Victoria Parkette on their own, as they saw the significance of the Park to our social history. Jon Brown of Leon Brown initiated the effort and I think we should applaud him and his family for it. The signage is now removed (September 2016)but for at least a few years this was the only memorial to Victoria Park.
The Parkette is not on the original land of Victoria Park as that land is now occupied by a condominium development and a hydro station. The City of Winnipeg has done virtually nothing to commemorate the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 and Victoria Park, so it has fallen to people like Jon and those involved in the Labour History Project to maintain this important place in history.
Watch Videos: Victoria Park and Victoria Parkette
It is a small section of land, at the corner of Lily and James, near the waterfront. It is intended to remind everyone of Victoria Park that was once a central feature of the City's park infrastructure.
The owners of the land have set up Victoria Parkette on their own, as they saw the significance of the Park to our social history. Jon Brown of Leon Brown initiated the effort and I think we should applaud him and his family for it. The signage is now removed (September 2016)but for at least a few years this was the only memorial to Victoria Park.
The Parkette is not on the original land of Victoria Park as that land is now occupied by a condominium development and a hydro station. The City of Winnipeg has done virtually nothing to commemorate the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 and Victoria Park, so it has fallen to people like Jon and those involved in the Labour History Project to maintain this important place in history.
Watch Videos: Victoria Park and Victoria Parkette
Monday, 13 April 2015
STRIKE becomes a movie
The award-winning 2005 stage musical by Danny Schur & Rick Chafe becomes a major movie musical
Production Facts- Stars signing on
- Shooting on location in Winnipeg, Canada in spring/summer, 2016
- Made-in-Manitoba production enjoys one of the highest labour tax credits of any jurisdiction
- Funded by Strike! Movie Limited Partnership
- Premiering in the first quarter of 2017
STRIKE MOVIE
Monday, 21 April 2014
STRIKE Tour 2014
May 25th 2014, The 1919 Strike Tour last year took 35 people through highlights of what happened in 1919, with an eye to the social and economic conditions that laid the foundation for the strike. The presentation reflected on how the echoes and shadows of the General Strike can be heard and seen in Winnipeg of 2014.
It was 95 years ago when the workers of Winnipeg, with their supporters in the police and soldiers returning from the war, stood up in mass solidarity and brought the city to a stop. Their courage and sense of justice launched dynamics that serve the people of Winnipeg today!
It was 95 years ago when the workers of Winnipeg, with their supporters in the police and soldiers returning from the war, stood up in mass solidarity and brought the city to a stop. Their courage and sense of justice launched dynamics that serve the people of Winnipeg today!
 |
| Abut 40 history buffs ended the tour at the boutique hotel that now occupies the site of the original Victoria Park. |
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Cabaret May 25th
VP Cabaret May 25
2nd Annual
Victoria Park 1919 Cabaret
Friday, May 25, 2012 - doors 5:30 pm
Ukrainian Labour Temple,
Pritchard and McGregor
2nd Annual
Victoria Park 1919 Cabaret
Friday, May 25, 2012 - doors 5:30 pm
Ukrainian Labour Temple,
Pritchard and McGregor
 |
| Ukrainian Labour Temple |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)