First Published: 1965
Transcription, Editing and Markup: Paul Saba
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In every country, May Day is celebrated as International Labor Day to commemorate the struggle for the 8 hour day which had reached its peak in the U.S. on May 1, in Chicago. There, 80,000 workers paraded calling for an end to the 10 and 12 hour work day then prevalent in industry.
A few days later, the Chicago police arrested the labor leaders in what was known as the “Haymarket Riot,” on charges of “inciting to riot” and “murder”. Four of the union leaders were convicted and hanged. They were killed for leading the working people in a fight for a better life. One of the labor leaders, August Spies, correctly stated in court, “If you think by hanging us you can stamp put the labor movement...the movement from which the downtrodden millions, the millions who toll in want and misery, expect salvation – if this is your opinion, then hang us! Here you will tread upon a spark, but here and there, behind you and in front of you, and everywhere, flames blaze up. It is a subterranean fire. You cannot put it out.” Today, the bosses still use the same “riot” charges. They did so against our own union leaders (A.M.W.U.-Car Washers’ Union).
The International Workingmen’s Association called upon the working people of all lands to celebrate May Day with demonstrations to show the strength of the labor movement and to demand the end of the capitalist system. Since then, the working people have freed themselves and taken power in the Soviet Union, China, Cuba, and a number of countries in Europe and Asia. They have seized power and established states controlled by the people and led by the working class in a fight for socialism.
Today, the socialist countries and the national liberation movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, together with the revolutionary labor movements, are leading the fight against big business, banks, trusts, monopolies (imperialism) especially against imperialism – the enemy of the people of the world.
The U.S. government has set-up May 1st to be celebrated as “law day” and as “loyalty day”. We working people know that their law is there to protect the white ruling class and their loyalty is loyalty to that class. Our loyalty is to the working class! We continue to celebrate May 1st as May Day – International Labor Day!
We are fighting to organize the workers into revolutionary labor Unions, to fight U.S. imperialism, and to work for the abolition of the wage system. The fight is advancing throughout the world! THE FIGHT IS OURS – HERE AND NOW! All of the working people – black, Brown, and White – will win this fight!
CELEBRATE MAY DAY – INTERNATIONAL LABOR DAY with the PROVISIONAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE TO RECONSTITUTE THE MARXIST-LENINIST COMMUNIST PARTY, U.S.A. including speakers from:
WORKERS’ ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
A.M.W.U.-CAR WASHERS’ UNION
FREEDOM FOR THE PEOPLE
SATURDAY MAY 1, 8 pm at 1313 E. FIRESTONE BLVD., L.A.