Cities rally coast to coast

The May Day rallies held this year across the United States reflect the growing current that is leading a broad fightback against the cuts in social programs, oppression, racism and war that are endemic to capitalism.

Casa Freehold, New Jersey, workers march on May Day.

In Chicago, where May Day originated in the struggle for an eight-hour work day, a delegation of Colombian trade unionists installed a plaque at Haymarket Square Memorial to honor Colombian workers who have been killed trying to organize unions.

LOS ANGELES

Haskell Wexler

About 100 people attended a May Day Rally at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles, called by the International Action Center, and co-sponsored by BAYAN-USA, MillionWorker March Movement and the South Asian Network. The fightback against both President George W. Bush’s and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s attacks on workers and the need to end U.S. occupations were major themes at the rally.

Many saw the day as a fitting occasion to define the war on workers as part of the class struggle against capitalism and the need for socialism. Overall, what came across in every talk was the view that it is workers and their struggles that make real change in society.

The event boasted an impressive
rostrum of speakers. Among them were Haskell Wexler, vice president of IATSE Local 600 and Academy Award-winning cinematographer who worked on classic films such as “Matewan” and “Salt of the Earth.”

Melissa Roxas from HabiArts/BAYAN-USA and John Parker from IAC.

Rally speakers represented various unions, social justice and international solidarity organizations, including United Teachers of Los Angeles, FMLN, CISPES, Pacifica’s KPFK radio station, Peace and Freedom Party, Korea Truth Commission, Workers World Party, San Pedro Neighbors for Peace and Justice and the Puerto Rican Alliance.

Organizers of the May 1 event also endorsed, promoted and spoke at a march and rally of thousands on April 30, organized by the immigrant rights group MIWON to demand full legal rights for immigrants.

DENVER

In Denver, people came out in 30-degree weather, some having traveled on icy roads through the snow, for a spirited rally at the City and County Building.

Larry Hales, a representative of the Denver Troops Out Now coalition discus sed the reclamation of May Day and its importance in helping to broaden the anti-war struggle. He also talked about the Million Worker March Move ment, how it is strengthening the anti-war movement and taking the lead in linking the struggle against imperialism to the struggle against the war on the poor and workers in this country.

Embattled activist Shareef Aleem spoke about the struggle against police brutality. Other speakers discussed the REAL ID Act and the dangers it poses for immigrant workers, as well as the fight against a $600 million city and county jail proposal. Representatives of the Service Employees union and Vietnam Veterans Against the War also addressed the crowd.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

In Charlotte, N.C., people gathered at Independence Park for a “Jobs Not War—Hands Off Social Security” May Day Rally called by the Action Center For Justice.

David Dixon, coordinator of the center, gave a brief history of May Day and Hay market Square. The rally then became a people’s speak-out as those present introduced themselves and explained why they came.

There was general agreement about the need to struggle against the multitude of attacks Bush has unleashed on working people here, as well as the war and occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mohammed Ismail, a Palestinian-American activist, spoke about the injustice of the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Brenda Sandburg and Scott Scheffer contributed to this article.