The 2020 DC Labor FilmFest continues our weekly series with "Blood Fruit." In 1984, a strike over the sale of South African fruit in Ireland became the focus of world attention as a key battleground in the fight against apartheid. Introduced by director Sinéad O'Brien and striker Mary Manning!
- Chris Garlock, Director, DC LaborFest
- Chris Garlock, Director, DC LaborFest
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Tuesday, June 30: BLOOD FRUIT
7p EDT; Free via Zoom; RSVP here Introduced by director Sinéad O'Brien and striker Mary Manning Guest hosts: Amanda Jaret & Jessica Rutter In 1984, a strike over the sale of South African fruit in Ireland became the focus of world attention as a key battleground in the fight against apartheid. That year, Mary Manning, a 21-year-old Dunnes Stores checkout girl, refused to sell two South African grapefruits under direction from her union in support of the anti-apartheid struggle. She and ten other supporters were suspended and a strike ensued. The eleven knew little about apartheid and assumed they’d be back to work before long, but the arrival on the picket line of activist Nimrod Sejake changed everything, setting the strikers on a an unexpected path. His influence on the strikers and their struggle to bring about change proved to be the central turning point in their motivation for not only continuing the strike but advancing it to the international stage. Today, nearly 40 years later, this story resonates as we’ve watched protests over the killing of George Floyd in front of a Minneapolis convenience shop spread across the country, around the world and right to the doorstep of the White House. DIR/PROD Sinéad O’Brien. Ireland, 2014, color, 80 min. In English. Not Rated |
