Sundance Documentaries: Workers’ Rights Films You Need to See
- In the early hours of July 12, 1917, the town of Bisbee, Arizona, became the site of a shocking act of extralegal force against striking copper miners.Approximately 2,000...
- the miners, largely members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), had been on strike demanding better wages and working conditions.
- A century later, the town of Bisbee revisited this painful chapter through a large-scale reenactment, drawing upon firsthand accounts from those who lived through the events.
Bisbee ’17: Reexamining a Century-Old Labor Dispute
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Published August 31, 2025
In the early hours of July 12, 1917, the town of Bisbee, Arizona, became the site of a shocking act of extralegal force against striking copper miners.Approximately 2,000 unionized workers where rounded up by a posse comprised of county sheriffs and individuals deputized by the Phelps Dodge mining corporation, a dominant employer in the region.
The Kidnapping and Its Aftermath
the miners, largely members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), had been on strike demanding better wages and working conditions. After refusing to sign pledges denouncing union affiliation, roughly 1,200 were forcibly loaded onto cattle cars and deported across the state line into New Mexico. They were abandoned without provisions – no money,food,or water – and reportedly threatened with violence should they attempt to return to bisbee. This event,often referred to as the Bisbee Deportation,remains a stark example of labor conflict and corporate power in American history.
A Reenactment and a Reflection of Contemporary Issues
A century later, the town of Bisbee revisited this painful chapter through a large-scale reenactment, drawing upon firsthand accounts from those who lived through the events. The reenactment wasn’t simply a historical recreation; it became a platform for exploring enduring tensions surrounding immigration, labor rights, and the influence of corporate interests. The documentary film *Bisbee ’17* captures this complex process, showcasing the diverse perspectives of the townspeople involved and the unsettling parallels to contemporary issues.
Documenting Division
The film highlights the conflicting beliefs within the community, revealing how interpretations of the 1917 events continue to shape present-day attitudes. It serves as a powerful portrait of a nation still grappling with issues of economic inequality and the rights of workers, issues that were central to the Bisbee deportation and remain relevant today. Viewers can find options for watching *Bisbee ’17* through JustWatch.