ORGREAVE TRUTH AND JUSTICE CAMPAIGN, MINERS’ STRIKE STORIES FILM PREMIERE
The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign wanted to record some of the real stories from participants of the great strike as a way of preserving on film the heroic struggles of our Miners, Families, Women Against Pit Closures and other supporters from across our Mining Communities. In these moving accounts, with humour, pride and sometimes anger and sadness, people tell their personal stories from history.
Joe Rollin, Deputy Chair of OTJC and one of the main organisers of the film and event said: “The OTJC wants these stories to inspire future generations and to encourage people to become involved in the Trade Union Movement today. We have had years of cuts, austerity and a low wage, zero hours economy where workers are being denied basic human rights. This film will hopefully inspire people to stand up for themselves and to know that another world is possible”
Kevin Horne, miner arrested at Orgreave and OTJC activist said: “Many people who took part in the 84/5 miners strike and were deeply affected by it are now dead or old and will be dead soon. It is so important for those of us who are still around, to capture our social and political history on film and to tell our stories to people who may not be aware of what we endured and how it still affects people’s lives today”
Kate Flannery, Secretary of OTJC and a past member of Women Against Pit Closures said: “We have organised this film premiere to take place this week as it is the anniversary of the start and end of the 12 month miners’ strike of 1984/85 when miners had no option but to fight to protect jobs and communities. They were protesting against a calculated effort by the Conservative (Thatcher) government to destroy the mining industry and the power and role of trade unions. We also wanted to highlight the role that women and many supporters played in the strike and draw parallels of what is happening today and what a conservative government is capable of doing to protect their own interests”
Our Miners’ Strike Stories Film Premiere will be on Friday March 6th at 7:00pm.
The Film Premiere will be held in the iconic National Union of Mineworkers, Miners Hall (2 Huddersfield Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2LS. Telephone: 01226 215555). Light refreshments will be provided.
The compère will be Joe Rollin, Deputy Chair of OTJC and we will have Speakers: Chris Peace, OTJC Activist, Chris Kitchen, General Secretary NUM and Richard Burgon MP, Shadow Justice Secretary. All who support us are welcome to join us for this premiere. Just turn up on the night – no need to book.
Links to publicity here:
There will also be a Film Premiere After Party at 9:00pm at the Temple of Muses, Graham’s Orchard, Barnsley S70 2SX with live music from: Rich Lynch, performing his unique mix of rebel songs and foot stomping tunes and activist Sam Browse, Folk singer/song-writer, multi-instrumentalist.
It will be a great night of commemoration and celebration. We look forward to seeing you there.
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