Redevelopment and ILWU: Struggle Over Yerba Buena

This clip, excerpted from the documentary "Redevelopment: A Marxist Analysis," captures a poignant moment in San Francisco's urban history, focusing on the tension between urban redevelopment and labor rights, particularly involving the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and its iconic leader, Harry Bridges.

Urban Redevelopment Context: The Yerba Buena project was part of a larger urban renewal effort in San Francisco that often led to the displacement of local residents and workers. The area was slated for redevelopment into what would become a major cultural and commercial hub, but at the cost of existing communities and homes.
ILWU Involvement: The ILWU, historically a powerful and militant union, had a significant presence in San Francisco, particularly among longshoremen who lived and worked near the waterfront. The documentary segment highlights the disillusionment among retired longshoremen when Harry Bridges, a revered figure for his roles in labor rights and union activism, did not vocally or actively support their fight against being displaced by the redevelopment.
Displacement and Discontent: The footage likely shows interviews or scenes of these longshoremen expressing their frustration and betrayal, feeling abandoned by a union leader they had once seen as a staunch defender of workers' rights. This part of the documentary would illustrate the complex dynamics between labor leaders, union members, and city development plans, where economic progress often came at the expense of community integrity.
Critical Analysis: The documentary's Marxist perspective would analyze this situation not just as a personal or union leadership failure but as part of larger class struggles, critiquing how capitalism's drive for profit can undermine solidarity, community, and workers' rights.

This clip serves as a historical document of labor struggles intersecting with urban policy, offering insights into the conflicts that can arise during times of significant urban change, especially when such changes threaten the livelihoods and living conditions of the working class.