Amid the explosion of American unionization efforts in the 30s, independent steelworkers in Chicago went on strike for what we now consider to be basic labor rights: an 8-hour day, 40 hour workweek, and overtime pay. They were met with such force by Chicago Police, who had been armed by Republic Steel and asked to build a station at the mill, that ten workers were killed, and dozens more injured. But the police and mill hadn't counted on the fact that a camera person was there recording the whole thing.
Memorial Day Massacre looks at this tragic and essential chapter in American labor history, and chronicles not only the event itself, but the firestorm that erupted over the film that documented it. Initially suppressed by Paramount, the film was ordered to be screened by a congressional committee, sparking outrage and new labor protests across the country. As a modern wave of protests are being met with police suppression, Memorial Day Massacre offers an opportunity to reflect, and apply lessons learned nearly a century ago to our contemporary context.
"Excellent. [Does] an outstanding job in reminding us of these incidents we forget."
— Oliver Stone, Academy-award winning director
"A devastating documentary. This film is so good."
— Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
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