Invitation

May Day Celebration Committee

Dear Friends:

The May Day Celebration Committee invites you and your organization to help plan and participate in the 22nd Annual May Day/International Workers’ Day Celebration on the New Haven Green on Thursday, May 1, 2008 from noon until 8 PM.

Each year over forty labor, social justice, social service and peace groups set up their displays and pass out information to the hundreds of people who come to the Green on May 1st. Join in our community celebration! Please ask your organization to set up information tables and displays and help create a memorable May Day for New Haven. This wonderful holiday is for everyone.

RESPECT FOR PEOPLE * PEACE * HUMAN RIGHTS FOR ALL * A SAFE ENVIRONMENT * RIGHT TO ORGANIZE ON THE JOB * ECONOMIC JUSTICE * A HOME, FOOD AND HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE

Historically, May Day is an ancient celebration of fertility and renewal. In 1886, during the fight for an 8-hour workday, May 1st was the date of nationwide strikes. May 1st later became International Workers' Day in honor of the Chicago martyrs who died in the struggle for workers' rights. In other countries the world over, May 1st is celebrated as International Labor Day. On the New Haven Green on Sunday, May 1st, we will reclaim our labor history and join with people around the world who recognize this international holiday of struggle for justice.

Last year on May 1st, many thousands of people marched through downtown New Haven with the demand that immigrant workers, documented and undocumented, be treated fairly and with respect. No Human Being Is Illegal!

The war against the people of Iraq is now in its 4th year. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost in this unjust, illegal and immoral war and occupation. Stop the War! End the Occupation! Bring the Troops Home Now!

To continue the fight for respect, peace and human rights for all, we must be back in the streets this year on May 1st. The international solidarity that May Day represents is for us all, documented and undocumented, in the world-wide struggle for human rights, civil rights and economic rights!

The New Haven community shares not only its diversity, but its similarities too; we are all workers trying to make ends meet. May First is for everyone. Come enjoy the music, dance, arts and crafts, open mic, political speakers, poetry, juggling, activities for children, free vegetarian food and Maypole dance.

In Solidarity,
The May Day Celebration Committee