Having trouble thinking about the mass action no-shopping day tomorrow?

[struggle4progress]

Conceptualize it as a May Day action, driven by real working class interests.

International Workers Day is celebrated around the world. But it started in the United States with the struggle for limited work hours and it continued as a remembrance of the Haymarket martyrs.

Some people dislike radical politics and would rather spend the day winding the Maypole or celebrating Public Law 529. Others, who really do support labor, want the religious flavor of Feast of St Joseph the Worker.

And, of course, some people will always tell you shopping is patriotic.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is remembering the accomplishments and courage of America's nineteenth century working class, which included a large immigrant population.

Workers take to streets to express their solidarity (Australia)

FRED Moore remembers his first May Day march, as a 10-year-old walking beside his father ... The retired miner .. hasn't missed a march since 1932 and he doesn't intend to miss Wollongong's May Day march on Saturday ... "There is a cold wind blowing over everyone who demonstrates for their working rights now and this is an opportunity to speak up freely."

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/articles/2006/04/30/1146335611654.html

May Day comes early to city (Canada)
Thousands rally
Groups march to Maisonneuve Park

Waving flags decorated with union logos and chanting so-so-so-solidarite, thousands of people marched along Viau St. yesterday in an early recognition of May Day, the traditional workers' holiday celebrated around the world tomorrow. Representatives of dozens of unions from all parts of the province, as well as student, women's and community groups turned out for the high-spirited fete, which ended with performances by Quebec artists under sunny skies at Maisonneuve Park ...

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/montreal/story.html?id=eac86191-f0e0-4c98-b1ba-69ea417b26b8

Rainfall, Sandstorms Forecast for May Day Holiday (China)

Weather forecasters are calling for a mixed bag of bad weather for the country which begins the week-long May Day holiday Monday ...

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/811/2006/04/30/[e-mail]

Trade unions for more employment, higher wages (Hungary)

Budapest, April 30 (MTI) - Hungary's employee federations will stage a May Day demonstration to demand more jobs, enforcement of employee rights and stronger efforts to close the gap with European wages, a spokesperson told MTI on Sunday.

http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=219256

TN leaders extend May Day greetings (India)

Chennai, April 30: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and DMK president M Karunanidhi were among leaders of various political parties who greeted the working class on the occasion of May Day ...

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B85C57EC1-6E8C-4E26-9746-18F571F9016C%7D&CATEGORYNAME=Chennai

Indonesian workers launch warming-up protest

JAKARTA, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Some 1,500 workers here on Sunday demonstrated against the planned revision of labor law and larger number is expected to follow in the next few days as the workers will celebrate the international labor day or May Day with massive labor protests. "Make May 1 a national holiday," said one of the banners raised during Sunday's demonstration. Another banner called on the military to stay away from more massive protests. The government wants to make it cheaper for companies to fire workers as part of a package of measures aimed at luring 426 billion U.S. dollars of new investment ...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/30/content_4495675.htm

SA workers set to celebrate May Day (South Africa)

Tomorrow is May Day and millions of workers around the world will be holding celebrations. In South Africa, labour federation Cosatu will be holding a series of rallies focussing on the jobs and poverty campaign. The clothing industry for one, has taken a big knock - shedding 150 000 formal jobs over the past 10 years – this is partly due to cheap Chinese imports ...

http://www.sabcnews.com/south_africa/general/0,2172,126564,00.html

Tanzania: HIV/AIDS as a trade union issue
Tanzania tomorrow joins the international community to mark May Day or International Workers’ Day to commemorate the historic struggle of working people throughout the world ... This year’s May Day is being observed .. when there are strong suggestions .. by the International Labour Organisation .. that HIV/AIDS should be a trade union issue ... Trade Unionists must try to make access to medical treatment and ensure any HIV/AIDS victim remains at work as far as he/she is physically able ...
http://www.andnetwork.com/index?service=direct/0/Home/recent.titleStory&sp=l32556

Workers set to push demand for higher wages, better conditions (Thailand)
To mark May Day today, labour groups will submit demands for an increase in the daily minimum wage to Bt233 and better welfare benefits including the right to vote where they work ... http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/05/01/headlines/headlines_30002933.php

[DeaconBlues]

1. "Conceptualize it as a May Day action, driven by real working class

interests..."

Since this event is being supported by corporations who want illegal immigrants here so they can skirt wage and employee protection laws, I don't think I will.

[struggle4progress]

2. Corporations are supporting a stay-away-from-work and don't-buy day?

That sounds like a really interesting development.

Have you got a link?