Press Release
May Day On The New Haven Green
Thursday, May 1, Noon — 8 PM
Contact: Paula Panzarella at 203-562-2798 or Committee@MayDayNewHaven.org
The 22nd annual festival for International Workers’ Day/ May will take place on Thursday, May 1 on the New Haven Green. This day of labor solidarity, internationalism, politics, human rights, the struggle for justice and peace entwines networking, music, fun, free food, open mic and a 4 pm Maypole dance. Starting at noon, many labor, social justice, social service and peace groups will set up displays and have information and hands-on projects for the thousands of people who come to the Green.
Throughout the course of the day our major themes will be (1) the erosion of workers’ rights in this country and the struggle to win them back, (2) the rights of all immigrants – documented and undocumented – to live and work in this country and be treated fairly and with respect, and (3) the right for all to live in peace and an end to the US war in Iraq, which has entered its 6th year.
Workshops and films are scheduled from noon till 5 pm. Topics include labor organizing rights, NAFTA, the history of May Day, "Know Your Rights" and "The Cost of War" - a breakdown of the Iraq war expenditures.
At 5:30 pm, the Ecuadorian Community Virgen del Cisne Dance Group will lead off the May Day march through downtown into neighborhoods and return to the Green at approximately 7 pm. Banners and signs in the march will reflect people's demands and aspirations for a better world, the struggle for justice, immigrant rights, labor rights, peace, environmental justice and solidarity.
Sponsoring organizations include the Greater New Haven Central Labor Council, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Greater New Haven Labor History Association, Unidad Latina en Acción, Christian Community Action, Don’t Waste Connecticut, MALIK, New Haven/León Sister City Project, Hue - New Haven Sister Cities, Veterans for Peace – New Haven Chapter, People Against Injustice, CT Peace Coalition/New Haven, Colombia Action/Connecticut, Planned Parenthood of CT, Middle East Crisis Committee, New England Health Care Employees 1199 and CTCOSH - Council on Occupational Safety and Health.
Among the confirmed performers are New Haven Contra Jammers, Palestinian-American poet Remi Kanazi, Hartford poet Leah Prescott (Lockedown) the Bread Is Rising Poetry Collective from New York, poet-activist-educator Fredrick-Douglass Knowles, singer-songwriter Frank Panzarella, and hip hop performers Mr. Slice and Mr. Slick and Friends. There will be open mic speak-out time, anti-war street theater, interactive performances, booths, children’s activities, a Maypole dance and free vegetarian food. A listing of all confirmed performers and the schedule will soon be available on our website (www.maydaynewhaven.org).
Featured speakers are Barbara Fair and Jack Mordente. People Against Injustice spokesperson Barbara Fair will speak about the latest struggles for reforms in the criminal justice system. PAI is a grassroots organization in New Haven whose members are a mixture of people directly affected by the unjust penal system and other citizens outraged by what is happening. Jack Mordente, Director of Veterans' Affairs, Southern Connecticut State University, will speak on The War on Terror and Its Effect on Our Veterans.
Historically, May Day is an ancient celebration of spring. 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, an international holiday of struggle for justice. Because of the immigrant rights marches throughout the United States on May 1st 2006 and 2007, many more people are understanding the significance of this international day of solidarity. This year, on the West Coast, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) has called for an eight-hour work stoppage on May 1st to demand an end to the war in Iraq. Vietnam veterans in the union were instrumental in urging fellow union members to vote in favor of the anti-war resolution which calls May Day a “no peace, no work” holiday.
The May Day website is www.maydaynewhaven.org. For more details and to volunteer, call 562-2798 or e-mail Committee@MayDayNewHaven.org. For information about immigrant rights, call 606-3484 or 479-2959; e-mail ulaccion@yahoo.com or visit unidad-latinaenaccion.blogspot.com.
Funding has been provided by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to support the May Day celebration on the Green.
In case of rain, the May Day program will be held at United Church on the Green, 270 Temple Street (corner Elm Street).
Posted: April 15, 2008
