|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Ernie Trory was a leading figure in the Sussex Communist movement, joining the Communist Party in 1931, participating in Hunger Marches in the 1930s, and becoming a Sussex Communist Party District Organiser by the time this film was made. The film features the Sussex County Communist Party Congress of February 1939, a demonstration against unemployment in Brighton, and the Eastbourne 'March of History'. This "People's Newsreel" was made to promote and record the party's work in Sussex. The Brighton demonstration begins with the title stating that "Brighton unemployed demand work or full maintenance" and informs the viewer that 200 unemployed people marched on Brighton police station, that the traffic was held up and that one of the protesters was arrested. The March of History demonstration in Eastbourne has flags and banners and concludes with speeches on the beach and a request for donations. This film represents an important part of the social and political history of the South East and is a unique first-hand film record of such events in the South East. It is interesting to compare it with the 'Band of Hope Demonstration' (1913), also held by Screen Archive South East, which is another good example of a film with a social message. The archive also holds a copy of a compilation film made in 1976 on the history of 'The Great Depression' documenting through films and stills issues of unemployment, strikes, anti fascist demonstrations, the hunger marches including the march from Jarrow, slum clearances and other issues. |
|
