Why This May Day Matters

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



Why This May Day Matters
This year, the day is about occupying the space and the time to create a different world.

by Sarah van Gelder
posted Apr 27, 2012


If the mainstream media was confused about Occupy Wall Street in its early days in Zuccotti Park, they’re bound to be completely befuddled this May Day.

May Day already has a lot piled on it. In pre-Christian Europe, May Day was a time to dance, light bonfires, sing, and carry on in celebration of the changing seasons. May Day also marks the anniversary of the 1886 Haymarket massacre, which occurred during a Chicago strike for the eight-hour work day. Also called International Workers’ Day, it’s a holiday in more than 80 countries.

And most recently, the U.S. immigrants right movement has used May 1st for massive street demonstrations and strikes aimed at reforming laws and policies that result in imprisonment, deportation, and discrimination against undocumented people.

This May Day, the Occupy movement is getting involved, calling it “The day without the 99 percent.” What will May Day look like with so many traditions riding on it? ...................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/the-meaning-of-may-day

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[Delphinus]

2. I *so*

want to participate ...

[socialist_n_TN]

3. Kick......

very nice article.

[marmar]

4. Sometimes you kick, sometimes you get kicked.....

[countryjake]

5. K&R!