Invitation
May Day Celebration Committee
Dear Friends:
The May Day Celebration Committee invites you and your organization to help plan and participate in the 23rd Annual May Day/International Workers’ Day Celebration on the New Haven Green on Friday, May 1, 2009 from noon until 7 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 Friday, May 1st, we will reclaim our labor history and join with people around the world who recognize this international holiday of struggle for justice.
We are hit hard by the world-wide economic depression. Capitalism and greed have failed at providing for the needs of the people to live secure, healthy, productive lives. While banks and corporations line up for multi-million-dollar government bail-outs, working people are getting sold-out. We need to keep the example of the Chicago workers of Republic Windows and Doors firm in our minds: when the company announced last December they were suddenly closing, the workers organized a sit-down strike and occupied the plant until they got all the workplace benefits they were entitled to. The spirit of Haymarket continues!
The demand for peace must become louder throughout the globe. Myanmar, Congo, Kashmir, Gaza, Colombia, Somalia, Darfur and Madascar are only some of the places we hear mentioned in the news where there is fighting. The world is wracked by wars. And in the continuing U.S. wars against the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost. Stop the Wars! End the Occupations! No Escalation of War into Iran or Pakistan!
It is a testament to the understanding of the American people that we have a new president, Barack Obama. After 8 years of the Bush regime's deceit, disregard of human rights, contempt for international law and negligence to the needs of working people, the voters demanded change. And this change meant many people had to overcome their prejudices. Our country has become a little less racist, and our citizens are beginning to understand and confront how our country's economy and development were based on slavery and oppression.
Last year on May 1st, many hundreds 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 international solidarity that May Day represents is for us all 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. 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
