Ready to march: (L-R) Mark Keserich, Local 500 President, holds banner on the left side; Jyalmen Sidhho, Secretary Treasurer for ILWU Canada; Bob McEllrath, International President; Tom Dufresne, President of ILWU Canada; Steve Nasby, First Vice President of ILWU Canada, Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour. Local 500 Vice President Mike Rondpre holds up the banner on the right.
Hundreds of ILWU members and families marched on June 19th in Vancouver, Canada to honor the 75th anniversary of a valiant battle by 5,000 longshore workers who were attacked with tear gas and beaten by police on horseback at the Ballantyne docks in 1935.
A monument honoring the workers’ struggle was unveiled last month at New Brighton Park, overlooking the docks. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson joined the ceremony that included ILWU Canada and International officials plus Canadian Labour Congress President Ken Georgetti and of British Columbia Labour Federation President Jim Sinclair. A dinner and dance were held in the evening after the march.
“Our pensioners and members did a great job organizing these events that reminded everyone that our union was born in struggle and will only stay strong if we’re all willing to continue the struggle for justice,” said ILWU Canada President Tom Defresne.
Hundreds marched: The parade route passed through neighborhoods where residents cheered for the families.