May Day 2007 events in Santa Cruz and Watsonville

by albert parsons

Fri, Apr 27, 2007 1:55PM

International Workers' Day (May Day) is a celebration on May 1st of the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. May Day was originally the commemoration of the Haymarket Riot of 1886 in Chicago. May Day has long been a focal point for demonstrations by various socialist, communist, and anarchist groups. In some circles, bonfires are lit in commemoration of the Haymarket Riot, usually right as the first day of May begins. In most of the world, May Day is marked by massive street rallies led by workers, their trade unions, anarchists and various socialist and communist parties.

The First and Second Red Scare periods ended May Day as a mass holiday in the United States until 2006 when millions of people took to the streets to support immigrant rights. In 2007, students and workers across the US and around the world are organizing walk-outs and demonstrations which proclaim, "We Are All Humans! No One Is Illegal!"

May Day 2007 in Santa Cruz County

Events already published to the Santa Cruz Indymedia Calendar. -- Add an event!

UC Santa Cruz: 1:30pm - Rally with speakers in the Quarry (near the Bookstore). Around 2:30pm march to the Clock Tower in downtown Santa Cruz and meet the up with the community around 4pm. (more information)

Santa Cruz: 5:30pm - Starts at the Poet & Patriot Irish Pub. 6:00pm - March down Pacific Ave ending at the Vets Hall. 7:00pm - Music and Films (more information)

Watsonville: 5:00pm - Watsonville Plaza. The Migrawatch Network invites you to a protest/march against the migra raids (more information)

More Resources for May Day 2007:

National Mobilization to Support Immigrant Workers

¡Gigante: Despierta! Giant: Awake!

MayDay 2007, Part I: Europe (Updated w/More Events)

MayDay 2007, Part 2: Latin America

§An anarchist celebration of May Day (pdf)

by albert parsons

Fri, Apr 27, 2007 1:56PM

Download PDF (214.1KB)

In 1887 four Chicago anarchists were executed. A fifth cheated the hangman by killing himself in prison. Three more were to spend 6 years in prison until pardoned by Governor Altgeld who said the trial that convicted them was characterised by "hysteria, packed juries and a biased judge". The state had, in the words of the prosecution put "Anarchy .. on trial" and hoped their deaths would also be the death of the anarchist idea.

The anarchists were trade union organisers and May Day became an international workers day to remember their sacrifice. They were framed on false charges of throwing a bomb at police breaking up a demonstration in Chicago. This was part of a strike demanding an 8 hour day involving 400,000 workers in Chicago that started May 1st 1886 .

The anarchist idea did not die in Chicago in 1887. Today it inspires a new wave of struggle against global capitalism. Join in this struggle.

http://struggle.ws/about/mayday.html

§May Day @ UC Santa Cruz

by no borders.

Fri, Apr 27, 2007 4:27PM

May 1st 2007

Day of Action

no borders.

equal rights as citizens
for all people, regardless of
immigration status
no deportations.
no detentions.

* Join us as we March to demand a stop to ICE Raids and deportations in our neighborhoods!!!!!!!