Workers raise voices and fists worldwide

The struggle is on to reclaim May Day—-International Workers Day—-in its birthplace, the United States. But throughout the world, workers, peasants, oppressed people and students already embrace the legacy of the 1886 Haymarket martyrs. They celebrate May 1 as a day to further their fight for unity, jobs and social justice, and against the U.S. war machine.

Nepal

They may be in the mountains of Nepal or the plains of Mozambique, the islands of Asia or the imperialist capitals of Europe. But on May 1, 2005, workers around the world in marches and gatherings in the tens, hundreds and hundreds of thousands voiced their demands against global imperialist devastation.

In Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, tens of thousands of workers marched against HIV/AIDS, but voiced economic issues, too. The workers from a local beverage bottler demanded 16 months back wages since Coca-Cola drove the manufacturer out of business.

Indonesia

In Kimberly, South Africa, the president of the National Union of Metalworkers encouraged workers to organize to fight job cuts, hitting DeBeers for massive layoffs.

Thousands of Indonesian workers in Jakarta, Surabaya, Surakarta and Ban dung joined with students demanding free education and health care. Workers in Surabaya demanded the government protect migrant workers and the rights of all workers by rejecting free trade deals.

Workers in Malaysia are fighting privatization of water and health care, resulting in higher costs for necessities. Thousands of workers, political and grassroots activists demonstrated under the banner of “Globalization erodes workers rights.”

Philippines

Three different protests in Istanbul, Turkey defied the government ban on May Day protests and refused to disperse. Police attacked demonstrators with tear gas and detained at least 47 people.

Workers raised anti-war themes in Japan and the Chinese province of Taiwan.

Over half a million German workers demonstrated against corporate attacks on wages and jobs, just one example of the mobilizations throughout Europe. “Ukraine is not an Amer ican state,” said workers in Kiev.

South Korea

In Moscow tens of thousands with red flags demanded higher minimum wages. In an hour-long standoff with the OMON political police, the Red Youth Vanguard demanded and won the release of six young activists detained for burning a photograph of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In Colombia, on May Day a delegation of trade unionists installed a plaque to honor Colombian workers who have been killed trying to organize unions. The Million Worker March leaders addressed a Venezuela May Day rally via live feed. And in Japan the national railway union held a May Day rally in coordination with the MWM Movement.