By Sophia Tareen
Chicago (AP) – From workers’ rights to social justice for social justice, activists around the world launched May demonstrations on Thursday.
In some countries, it is a statement of honor of the public holiday, but activists planning the marches in the United States say that a large part of their message is to fight against the policies of President Donald Trump targeting immigrants, federal workers and diversity programs.
Thousands are expected during Tokyo demonstrations in Chicago. In some parts of the United States, however, fear sown by the Trump administration should keep some immigrants at home.
“Everyone is attacked at the moment,” said Jorge Mujica, a longtime labor leader from Chicago, where May Day gatherings have historically had great participation.
File – More than 300,000 March demonstrators to show support for immigrant rights in Chicago, May 1, 2006. (AP photo / Jeff Dress, file)
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File – More than 300,000 March demonstrators to show support for immigrant rights in Chicago, May 1, 2006. (AP photo / Jeff Dress, file)
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What is May 1?
The roots of May or the International Workers’ Day date back more than a century to a turbulent and pivotal period in the history of American work.
In the 1880s, unions that pushed better working conditions began to plead for an eight -hour working day with generalized demonstrations and strikes. In May 1886, a Chicago’s work rally became fatal when a bomb was launched and the police retaliated with gunshots. Several labor activists, most immigrants, have been found guilty of conspiracy to encourage violence, among other accusations. Four were hanged.
The unions later recommended that workers are honored every May 1. A sculpture by Haymarket Square from Chicago commemorates them with an inscription that is seen as follows: “dedicated to all workers in the world”.
May 1 rallies and riots
The marches, gatherings and riots of May 1 have taken place in the world in recent years while unions are pressure for better rights for workers, economic groups or activists call at the end of the war in Gaza.
Although most demonstrations were peaceful, there have been clashes with the police.
Last year, Paris police pulled tear gas while thousands of demonstrators paraded in the French capital, seeking better remuneration and working conditions. In New York, the May 1 demonstrations coincided with growing tensions on university campuses on pro-Palestinian student camps, causing many arrests.
This year, the organizers of many cities, including New York, call for unity through many causes and groups.
“We are organizing for a world where each family has housing, health care, fair wages, protection of the Union and security – regardless of race, immigration status or postal code,” the American Union Union of New York said in a press release.
The other notable American demonstrations include a rally of workers at the Philadelphia town hall with the Senator of Vermont Bernie Sanders and demonstrations in Colorado State Capitol and Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, DC
May 1 immigration marches
Although labor rights and immigrants are historically linked, May Rally in the United States went to immigration in 2006. It was then that around 1 million people, including almost half a million in Chicago, went down to the street to protest against federal legislation that would have made life in the United States without legal authorization.
Crowds for May 1 demonstrations have since decreased with plea groups that explode and change activism arenas such as voters’ rights.
This year in Chicago, the organizers say that the activism that started Thursday will last until Cinco de Mayo with boycotts and debraying. Their objective is workers’ rights, but also the increase in anti-immigration rhetoric of Trump’s administration.
The organizers recognize a frightening effect on immigrant communities since Trump repressed the application, especially in the so-called sanctuary cities, including Chicago. They await a lower number of immigrants but extend their awareness to more unions, including for teachers and nurses.
“There is a lot of fear there,” said Omar Lopez, a longtime organizer from Chicago.
Who celebrates May 1?
In some countries, May Day is a public holiday for workers, including France, Kenya and China, where it lasts five days. In Russia, the May 1st celebrations led by the Communists were once massive affairs.
It is also a traditional spring celebration that is observed in a way that does not imply walking in the streets or civil disobedience.
In Hawaii, May 1 is called Lei Day, which is not an official party, but a celebration on the scale of the State of Hawaiian culture and the Aloha spirit through the creation and donation of Lei – generally a flower necklace.
Elsewhere, people mark the holidays by leaving baskets of May 1 filled with gifts and flowers at the door of friends. The city of Annapolis, Maryland, is expected to organize its basket competition in May 70, where residents and businesses surpass themselves for the best floral arrangements.
“This is the way our community say goodbye to winter and welcome the beauty and energy of spring,” said the mayor of Annapolis, Gavin Buckley.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
