From Yes Magazine: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/sarah-van-gelder/the-meaning-of-may-day
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
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?
May Day Collaborations—from Bike Caravan to Free University
The
way plans are shaping up, in at least some locations around the United
States, it could be big, festive, and importantly, include elements of
all the May Day traditions. And it could be profoundly different than
the big days of action we’ve seen in the past. In the weeks leading up
to May Day, various movements have been collaborating. And people will
not only be protesting, they’ll be liberating spaces for education, the
arts, general assemblies, and teach-ins.
There will be marches, of
course. Some permitted, planned, and predictable. Others will be
spontaneous, possibly disruptive. In spite of all the police planning
(and collaboration with Wall Street private security forces) law
enforcement will be kept guessing.
There will be fairs, free food, teach-ins, music, bicycling, marches, and fiestas.
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