Paul Robeson had been invited to sing at the Fourth Canadian Convention of the International Union of Mine, Mill, and Smelter Workers in Vancouver in February of 1952. An outspoken supporter of civil rights worldwide and an admirer of the Soviet Union, where he perceived there to be no racism, Robeson had been increasingly persecuted for his political views since the late 1940s. 
His passport had been confiscated by the State Department, denying his right to travel and perform outside the United States, and he was even prevented from crossing the border to Canada, which at the time did not require United States citizens to show a passport.
The Convention heard Robeson sing over the telephone and promised to organize a concert on the US-Canadian border and, indeed, they did. Refusing to be silenced, Robeson rolled up onto the bridge at Peace Arch Park on a flatbed truck and started singing about civil rights, freedom, and social justice to the delight of about 40,000 fans.
Accompanied by Lawrence Brown on piano, Robeson sang and spoke for 45 minutes. He introduced his first song, stating, “I stand here today under great stress because I dare, as do you – all of you, to fight for peace and for a decent life for all men, women, and children.” He proceeded to sing spirituals, folk songs, labor songs, and a passionate version of “Old Man River,” written for him in the 1920s, slowly enunciating “show a little grit and you land in jail,” underlining the fact that his government had turned the entire country into a prison for Robeson and many others. It was a magnificent performance and a triumph for a movement facing the scourge of McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
“Soundtrack to the Struggle” is hosted by Hollis Monroe. Produced by Ron Adkins. Executive Producer is Dennis Green.