It’s just a few weeks after the most conservative Republican president in a generation decisively won a second term, causing many to despair. Abroad, a country engaged in apartheid is condemned by most of the world but still possesses a powerful ally in the White House. Meanwhile, an impressive, increasingly large global movement of people stands in solidarity with those who have suffered generations of violence.

While it might read like today’s news, this describes the year 1984.

At that moment, a small and powerful yet weakened left-wing union with a history of fighting racism, fascism, and authoritarianism refused to unload cargo from apartheid South Africa.