Pathé News No.57, excerpt, Winnipeg General Strike
Type: Video
Date: 1919
History
The first Canadian general strike was held in Vancouver on the day of Albert Goodwin's burial and was a catalyst for the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike.
Description
This is newsreel footage shot at the time of the Winnipeg General Strike, which took place from 15 May to 25 June, 1919. The inter-title describes this as: '[scenes] of a big general strike which for six weeks threatened to paralyze the labor situation in many Canadian cities'. It begins with scenes of demonstrators carrying placards, with one reading 'Britons Never Shall Be Slaves', and another 'We Stand By Our Elected Government'. The demonstrators are believed to be anti-strike war veterans opposed to the apparent threat of communism. Men march past the camera as police watch. The next inter-title reads: 'Incidents such as these were quite frequent in attempts of the police to maintain order'. This refers to a sequence in which police march some individuals along a crowded street. Mayor Charles Gray of Winnipeg delivers a speech in an attempt to cool passions as strikers listen. The inter-title reads: 'Mayor Gray of Winnipeg addresses the strikers in his efforts to affect a reconciliation.'
Item Details
- Materials: Moving images
- Credit: Video courtesy of Library and Archives Canada. Bellevue Pathé fonds, 1974-0173, IDC 220304.