Remember MayDay!

The WEEKEND: Brought to you by Organized Labor.
Remember MayDay!!

May 1st is International Labor Day. Established as a commemoration of the Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, 1886, May Day has since then been a pivotal time for recognizing labor’s achievements and voicing grievances. For over a century, MayDay has been honored, and is even a national holiday in over 50 countries.

In 2006, May 1st was chosen as the day to recognize the contributions of immigrants in the United States, bring attention to exploitative conditions and demand respect and dignity from work places to civil society. On this day there was a general strike to protest H.R. 4437, an immigration reform legislation that would have had devastating consequences. The millions of demonstrators on this day communicated a powerful message: We are here, even if you don’t see us everyday, and demand recognition.

This year, there is a national call to action in response to the extremely repressive bill passed in Arizona: SB1070 written by state Senator Pearce. This bill gives police further authority to determine people’s immigration status based only on “reasonable suspicion” that they are undocumented. Doesn’t “SHOW ME YOUR PAPERS” sound facist to you?? Keep alert to developments around this and find a way to express your disgust.

Also, keep alert to staff conditions and demands here in Western Massachusetts and right here on these five college campuses. The time is now for workers to feel safe voicing complaints and demands.


TODAY, MAY 1ST, ON INTERNATIONAL LABOR DAY, TAKE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE STRUGGLES WORKERS HAVE ENGAGED IN FOR CENTURIES AND HOW MUCH THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR WORLD.