International Workers' Day is the original Labor Day in the United States. It was first declared in the late 1800's to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago and as a celebration of laborers and the working classes, promoted by the international labor movement, anarchists, socialists, and communists. Around the world on May 1, workers continue to unite to press demands in the streets through marches, rallies, and direct actions. In the United States, May Day is also a day to push for immigrant rights, especially since the massive "Gran Paro Americano" general strike and marches of 2006. The traditional May Day was an ancient European festival celebrating the coming of spring, which included dancing around a maypole, and the day is often still marked with actions related to food justice.

San Francisco: ILWU Local 10 initiated a May Day rally and march against police terror and for working people. The ILWU members stopped work on May Day and no cargo was worked. Bicycle couriers called for a rolling picket of Sprig, Postmates, and other dot com delivery companies, followed by a Critical Mass ride.
May Day march in San Francisco | May Day 2016 San Francisco "No Justice No Peace" ILWU Leads Rally And March On May Day | ILWU Local 10 Initiated May Day Rally In San Francisco | Bike Couriers Call for Critical Mass Rolling Picket of Delivery Companies | International Workers Day March & Rally | May Day Bike Strike!

Oakland: On May Day in Oakland, a march and rally declared: We Vote In The Streets For Justice! March for Legalizaton, Housing, Education, and a Living Wage! No More Raids! No More Deportations! No More Gentrification! No More Police Violence - Black Lives Matter!
Oakland International Workers Day: Sin Fronteras

Mountain View: In Mountain View, workers, their families and allies chose this May Day to call attention to the need for just and humane immigration reform and housing policies that do not disrupt family stability.
International Workers Day is a Call for Immigrant Rights/Better Housing Policies

San Jose: The May Day march and rally in San Jose demanded: Fair and humane immigration laws and practices! Stop the separation of families! Respect for indigenous treaty rights and sacred sites! Housing access is a human right! Ya basta! Stop the violence! A living wage for all! End wage theft! May Day | Primero de Mayo | International Workers Day

Santa Cruz: International Workers Day was honored in Santa Cruz with a march in support of two food justice issues of particular concern locally: the international boycott of Driscoll's, which is headquartered in Watsonville, and the fight to preserve the Beach Flats Community Garden.
May Day in Santa Cruz Sees Visits to the Boardwalk and New Leaf Market | May Day March for Beach Flats Garden and Boycott Driscoll's | Save the Beach Flats Garden | MAY DAY March for Food Justice

Previous Related Indybay Feature: May Day in the Bay 2015