Every year around the world we celebrate May 1st as “International Workers Day”. We celebrate the worker’s struggle of the late 1800’s to have an 8-hour work day and remember those who died fighting for fair working conditions, a living wage, and the right to organize.
But what does May 1st really mean to us nowadays? Here in the United States we have the freedom to rally and celebrate workers on May 1st – but working conditions here, at home, have deteriorated very rapidly. For the past few decades the laws have changed in ways that make workers more vulnerable to injustices to the point that jobs are looking now more like “modern day slavery.” Wages are so low that even a working family has to get government assistance to make ends meet at the end of the month, and still that’s not enough.
Wage theft is rampant, with more than two thirds of low-wage and contingent workers experiencing illegal underpayment. The working poor need to hold 2-3 jobs in order to cover the basics, making the 8-hour workday seem like a far dream. This situation creates feelings frustration and guilt for honest, hard working individuals and families. It makes us feel that we are not valuable as humans; we are only seen as profit makers for the government and their best buddies, the big corporations and the 1%.
In recent years, May Day in the US has been when we demonstrate solidarity for immigrant workers, and highlight the injustices that treat immigrants as second-class. We push against wedges that blame immigrants for the lack of jobs, and we show that it’s the corporations, their bailouts, the wars abroad and at home, the government’s tax breaks for the 1% that are keeping us in this sad situation.
This is the time to take action, to get involved and make change happen. It’s time to celebrate the workers that keep our country running and to support each other on demanding better working conditions and the right to a livable wage.
Want to demand your rights? Do you really want to support those who are breaking their backs to put food on the table for their families? Here are few activities that you and/or your family can take part on and join millions of people around the world on the day that it truly means “justice for all”.
Have your pick and enjoy!
Keyla
CAUSA – SALEM, OR
May Day 2012: The Light of Hope March & Rally
with an announcement about Driver’s License Access Restoration
Guest Speaker: Governor John Kitzhaber
A Celebration of Working Families, regardless of immigration status:
• Jobs with living wages for ALL Oregon residents
• Educational opportunities from pre-k to college for ALL Oregon residents
• Access to health care services for ALL Oregon residents
• Access to driver licenses for ALL Oregon residents
• A path towards legalization for all immigrants
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Rally: 6 p.m.
March: 7 p.m.
Place: State Capitol, Salem
For more information, please call: 503-488-0263
http://oregonmayday.com/
OCCUPY THE GORGE – HOOD RIVER, OR
OTG – Community Ed, Celebrating May Day 2012
International day of workers’ rights, with Maria Toña Sanchez, a Social Justice Organizer
Thu, April 26, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Hood River Library lower level conference room,
502 State St, Hood River, OR
http://occupythegorge.org/?
RECURSOS PARA DERECHOS HUMANOS – MADRAS, OR
For the first time in our community, Latinos are uniting to fight for freedom and justice.
On this day in Salem Governor Kitzhaber will speak on the drivers license issue we expect him to speak on a solution to the issue of undocumented people and the loss of their drivers license the speech will be Skyped live at 6pm
May Day Rally
Madras City Hall 71 se D St.,
Madras, Or 97741
May 01 at 2pm
Greg Delgado
Latino Community Organizer
CAUSA Oregon
541-390-6213
greg@causaoregon.org
MAY DAY SOLIDARITY FAIR – CORVALLIS, OR
The May Day Solidarity Fair celebrates the labor movement and all struggles for economic and social justice, past & present, local & global. We seek to promote public awareness about labor’s history and celebrate the many contributions of the movement to equality of work and life, including the extension of democracy on the workplace. We hope to encourage conversation on the current issues that confront working people, their families and communities
Sunday, April 29th, 2012
1:00 – 5:00pm
Central Park, Corvallis
Monroe & 8th St.
ALTERNATIVE RAINY DAY LOCATION: COMMUNITY CENTER BEHIND METHODIST CHURCH, 12th St & MONROE St.
FAMILY FRIENDLY, BRING A PICNIC AND LAWN CHAIRS
MAY DAY in PORTLAND
May 1st, 2012
2pm: Activities begin
3:30pm: Rally with speakers & music
4:30pm: March through downtown Portland
Location: Shemanski Park in the South Park Blocks at SW Park & SW Salmon
All are welcome and invited!
Family friendly, permitted through the City of Portland.
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2012 May Day demands
- 6 hour day, no cut in pay!
- Free contraception & childcare
- Halt all foreclosures & evictions
- End surveillance and repression
- No cuts to public services
- Full citizenship rights for all
- No collaboration between ICE & local police