During the 2022 Minneapolis Teachers' Strike a local Twin Cities CBS news affiliate station WCCO came across archival television footage of a previous teachers strike by Minneapolis teachers - the 1970 Minneapolis teachers strike. One of the film reels located was of a reporter interviewing school children in North Minneapolis who shared their thoughts about the strike. One interview with an 11-year old stood out and for good reason. The interview was with Prince Rogers Nelson - the eleven year old who would become one of the most famous musicians in the world: Prince.
Prince Rogers Nelson said to the delight of teachers in 1970 and teachers in 2022: " I think they should get some more money ’cause they work, they be working extra hours for us and all that stuff.”
Now that is solidarity. Students standing up for their teachers and the community supporting the strike. Teachers on the picket line in 2022 - led by the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT 59) - were no doubt overjoyed to see the unearthed news footage and the solidarity from the Twin Cities most famous star. Strikes need community support as public opinion plays an important factor at the bargaining table. Note that the 2022 strike ended with important gains won by MFT 59.
This one-color print features a still from the news interview in 1970 and includes the quote. It also honors the 2022 strike. The background image is a photo from the 2022 Minneapolis Teachers Strike. On a side note the banner being carried was designed by myself and painted by the Art Build Workers.
Here is a link to an article about the 1970 rare archival footage and here is the video:
https://youtu.be/EQe0EoVoGqU
