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On May 1, 1979, a friend, who was working on a documentary video of the May Day celebrations, asked me if I would take still photographs. I did. First at the Legislature and later at a second rally held at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple on Pritchard Avenue. During the day, it was mentioned (often) that 1979 was the 60th anniversary year of the 1919 General Strike. Pierre Trudeau was Prime Minister and Sterling Lyon was Premier of Manitoba.
When 1994 arrived, I photographed the May Day celebrations, on the 75th anniversary of the 1919 General Strike. It truly was a celebration. May Day 1979 had been more of a solemn observance (I saw only one woman handing out balloons). In 1994, there were plays, giant puppets, musicians, huge banners and an expanded world view. And, at the same time, it was about the 1919 General Strike. Jean Chretien was Prime Minister and Gary Filmon was Premier of Manitoba.
There is a comments section at the end of the exhibit. Comments and/or additional information are welcome.
Parade marshalling area, Lily Street Winnipeg
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade marshalling area, Lily Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade marshalling area, Lily Street, Winnipeg Mb
Dick Martin, President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, center right, rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade marshalling area, Lily Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Main Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Main Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Main Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade at Portage Avenue and Main Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade at Portage Avenue and Main Street, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
On Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Parade on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Al Cerilli in performance on 1919 Strike leaders, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Judy Wasylicia-Leis (l.) and Al Cerilli (r) during performance on the 1919 Strike leaders, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Leader of the Opposition, MLA Howard Pawley, rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Performance on 1919 Strike leaders, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at Manitoba Legislature, Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple, Pritchard Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Children with the world, rally on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple, Pritchard Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple, Pritchard Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Paul Moist, President of CUPE Local 500, at rally on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple, Pritchard Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally on Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
Rally at the Ukrainian Farmer Labour Temple, Pritchard Avenue, Winnipeg Mb
6 Responses
Great exhibit. I was a month from turning 11 years old in May 1979. I remember my dad talking about Pawley quite a bit. I recognized him immediately in the photo. Funny how some people a burned into memory.
Thank you Brian. One of my first jobs was with the Mb government doing a printing for the Provincial Archives… began my 1919 Strike education there.
Really great photos, Rob! Both documentary and artistic. Not sure how I missed the ’94 parade, other than working on the exhibit at MMMN.
Thank you Sheila… Athide to asthtride? smiley emoji
Rob,
Excellent documentation coupled with a great eye. Reminds me of some of the classic WPA photo work.
Congratulations.
Chuck Sutyla
Thank you, much appreciated.