May Day, it’s the original Labor Day and it’s been celebrated with direct action since the first one in 1886 when more than a quarter million workers across the country went on strike to fight for an eight-hour workday. Tomorrow in Providence, the numbers may well be smaller but the issues are no less important.
“The May Day celebration in Providence will highlight several key issues facing workers today: the ongoing foreclosure crisis plaguing not only Rhode Island, but the nation as a whole; the dismantling of our education system through closings of community schools and firing dedicated teachers; the constant harassment and criminalization of immigrants; the systematic attack on organized labor by corporations; and the senseless cuts to social programs due to harsh austerity measures locally and globally,” according to a press release announcing a march at 3:30 starting at the Dexter Street Training Grounds on the West Side.
Robert Malin, a spokesperson for Occupy Providence put this video together on the local struggle for workers rights:
Locally, there are several events going on:
There will be a march starting at 3:30 at the Dexter Street Training Grounds; Steve Early, a long-time labor activist and author, will be speaking at the Firefighters’ Hall, 90 Printery St., Providence, at 7:30 p.m.; and the Rochambeau Library on Hope Street is hosting a screening of Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 labor classic “Strike!” projected with 16mm film. “The movie is silent and will be accompanied by LIVE SOUND from Bevin Kelley aka BLEVIN BLECTUM,” according to a press release.
Here’s the press release on the march:
On May 1, 2012, working class women and men will march in Providence to celebrate May Day, or International Worker’s Day. The march will commence at 3:30pm at the Dexter Training Ground between Cranston and Westminster Streets and continue throughout the city, stopping at locations that symbolize the struggles of working class people in Rhode Island and around the world. The May Day event is organized by a coalition of youth, labor, and other local community and faith- based organizations.
The May Day celebration in Providence will highlight several key issues facing workers today: the ongoing foreclosure crisis plaguing not only Rhode Island, but the nation as a whole; the dismantling of our education system through closings of community schools and firing dedicated teachers; the constant harassment and criminalization of immigrants; the systematic attack on organized labor by corporations; and the senseless cuts to social programs due to harsh austerity measures locally and globally.
May Day organizers in Rhode Island and throughout the country are calling for “A Day without the 99%,” asking people to take time during the day to show solidarity and participate in a May Day event. The march and subsequent celebration at Dexter Training Ground will feature speakers and performers. People of all walks of life will march to recognize the sacrifices that working people have made in the past, and to celebrate the hope for a better future through the struggles of today.
“Working people need this May 1st holiday more than ever — for both inspiration and solidarity.” says Mary Kay Harris, Direct Action for Rights and Equality lead organizer and May Day event organizer.
“May Day is a day for workers, a day to remind the banks and corporations that they are nothing without their workers. It is time for them to stop enriching themselves and their shareholders at the expense of workers.” states Martha Yager of the American Friends Service Committee, and May Day organizer.
