Still The Enemy Within: A day of film, music and debate re 1984-85 miners' strike

Film makers, authors and artists come together to mark the 30th Anniversary of the miners’ strike

Still the Enemy Within is a unique event at Rich Mix in East London, bringing together films, archive, music, art and debate from the most important industrial battle in UK history: the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike.

This daylong event on the 8th March includes a discussion with Seumas Milne, Guardian Associate Editor, on the update of his ground-breaking book ‘The Enemy Within: The Secret War Against the Miners’. The book lifts the lid on police spying and covert tactics during the strike.

Seumas will be joined by other speakers like Brigit Bell from the Miners Wives Action Group, discussing the changing role of women during the strike; Darcus Howe, the well-known civil rights activist and broadcaster, looking at connection between the policing of Brixton riots and the strike; and Mike Jackson, a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Miners Support Groups. He will explain the important role they played in breaking down homophobia.

As well as talks, the event will look at the impact the strike had on culture, art and photography. Test Deparment (DJ Set) + Special guests host an evening of music from the time.

The highlight of the day will be the UK Premier ‘Miners Shot Down’ a ground-breaking documentary that details the Massacre at the Marikana mines in South Africa, told over the seven days leading up to the tragedy. This will be followed by a Q&A from the team.

Attendees will also be treated to an exclusive five minute preview of the much anticipated crowd-funded doc ‘Still the Enemy Within’ and much more.

Overall, the day will be an in depth, fascinating look at one of the most exciting and defining periods of the last fifty years and the lessons it has for us today.