International Workers' Day is the commemoration of the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago. The police were trying to disperse a public assembly during a general strike for the eight-hour workday, when an unidentified person threw a bomb at them. The police reacted by firing on the workers, killing dozens of demonstrators and several of their own officers. "Reliable witnesses testified that all the pistol flashes came from the center of the street, where the police were standing, and none from the crowd. Moreover, initial newspaper reports made no mention of firing by civilians. A telegraph pole at the scene was filled with bullet holes, all coming from the direction of the police."
***We'll be gathering at Derby Square at midday, marching from there to the Wellington Monument at St George's Hall and then throwing the platform there open to speakers. And after the speakers have finished we're going to have some fun.***
4th May Day Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/233146183476992/ There is also the usual 1st May Worker's Memorial Day March & Rally meeting at Walker Art Gallery at 12pm.