Nottingham's MayDay march and rally - This Saturday May 2nd.
Boraxwoman | 01.05.2009 11:13
The theme this year is a Celebration of Resistance.
Many different groups and campaigns will come together in a show of May Day solidarity. We will demonstrate our opposition to racism, climate change, job cuts, asylum injustice, arms manufacturers and the oppression that we witness daily. We will make connections between issues and celebrate our resistance to them.
Many different groups and campaigns will come together in a show of May Day solidarity. We will demonstrate our opposition to racism, climate change, job cuts, asylum injustice, arms manufacturers and the oppression that we witness daily. We will make connections between issues and celebrate our resistance to them.
Saturday May 2nd. Turn up at Brewhouse Yard gardens (off Castle Boulevard, near the Trip to Jerusalem) around 11am (gates open at 10am). The march sets off at 12 sharp. Then we'll return to Brewhouse Yard for music and speakers.
Speakers include Alan Simpson, and people representing: UNISON, Free Hich Campaign, Communications Workers' Union, Let Them Work Campaign, Notts Stop the BNP, Notts Anti-Militarism/Shut Down H&K, No Deportations Campaign, climate change activists. We support the right of asylum seekers to work.
Music includes Wholesome Fish, 1st May Band (songs of protest and resistance), Ngoma or African roots music, The Score (Jam/Clash- type music from the Communications Workers) and Clarion Choir. So definitely something for everyone.
There will be a number of stalls representing different campaigns and groups. And there's no need to go hungry because Veggies will be there too.
May Day was celebrated as a pagan festival long before the Romans came. Then in the 19th century, it became the international worker’s holiday arising from the struggle in the US and Canada for an 8 hour working day:
“Lay down your tools on May 1st, 1886, cease your labour... for one day in the year. One day of revolt, not of rest! A day of protest against oppression and tyranny, against ignorance and war. A day on which to... enjoy eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for what we will”.
In 1894, Nottingham held its first big May Day celebration, with thousands marching in strict Trade Union parades from the Forest. There were speeches from mining, hosiery and railway unions and from political parties. Resolutions were passed by an enthusiastic crowd.
Today, the industries are different, but the need for struggle against oppression, tyranny, ignorance and war is still there and not just for one day a year. It has become international and you can add global warming to the list. Nottingham’s May Day march is a relaxed event – we just have to avoid trams and buses - but in many countries, workers get savagely beaten up for attempting to demonstrate on their own streets.
So please turn up with banners and placards; leaflets and flags; friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, comrades, people you only slightly know. Let's make this year's May Day really spectacular!
Organised by the same bunch as last year - between us we are active in many local campaigns.
See also:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/03/424759.html
Speakers include Alan Simpson, and people representing: UNISON, Free Hich Campaign, Communications Workers' Union, Let Them Work Campaign, Notts Stop the BNP, Notts Anti-Militarism/Shut Down H&K, No Deportations Campaign, climate change activists. We support the right of asylum seekers to work.
Music includes Wholesome Fish, 1st May Band (songs of protest and resistance), Ngoma or African roots music, The Score (Jam/Clash- type music from the Communications Workers) and Clarion Choir. So definitely something for everyone.
There will be a number of stalls representing different campaigns and groups. And there's no need to go hungry because Veggies will be there too.
May Day was celebrated as a pagan festival long before the Romans came. Then in the 19th century, it became the international worker’s holiday arising from the struggle in the US and Canada for an 8 hour working day:
“Lay down your tools on May 1st, 1886, cease your labour... for one day in the year. One day of revolt, not of rest! A day of protest against oppression and tyranny, against ignorance and war. A day on which to... enjoy eight hours for work, eight hours for rest and eight hours for what we will”.
In 1894, Nottingham held its first big May Day celebration, with thousands marching in strict Trade Union parades from the Forest. There were speeches from mining, hosiery and railway unions and from political parties. Resolutions were passed by an enthusiastic crowd.
Today, the industries are different, but the need for struggle against oppression, tyranny, ignorance and war is still there and not just for one day a year. It has become international and you can add global warming to the list. Nottingham’s May Day march is a relaxed event – we just have to avoid trams and buses - but in many countries, workers get savagely beaten up for attempting to demonstrate on their own streets.
So please turn up with banners and placards; leaflets and flags; friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, comrades, people you only slightly know. Let's make this year's May Day really spectacular!
Organised by the same bunch as last year - between us we are active in many local campaigns.
See also:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/03/424759.html
Boraxwoman
e-mail:
boraxwoman-mayday@yahoo.co.uk