St. Paul, MN – Hundreds of teachers, along with supporters assembled in the State Capitol building rotunda, May 20, for a “Invest in Success Rally for Public Education.” Republicans control the state legislature, and have passed spending bills that fail to adequately fund public education. Governor Mark Dayton vetoed these bills, and observers say it is likely that education finance bills will have to wait for a special secession of the legislature.
Chicago, IL – AT&T workers in Chicago walked off the job and hit the picket lines today, May 19. Not minding the rain and recent cooler weather, many workers chanted, “No contract, no phone!” and “No raises, no peace.” The strike which involves AT&T workers across the U.S., is set to last for three days.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).Mass combative strike response of the workers to the anti-people political line of the government-EU-IMF
Tallahassee, FL – On May 1, around 30 workers, students and community members gathered in front of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce to celebrate International Workers Day and to stand in solidarity with immigrants and refugees.
Chicago, IL – Union educators at Passages Charter School voted overwhelmingly to strike, May 4, after nearly a year of bargaining with management has failed to produce a decent contract. Teachers voted 43 to zero to strike, in a bargaining unit of 46 members. The May 4 vote authorizes the bargaining committee to set a strike date in the coming weeks if they do not receive an acceptable offer.
San Salvador, El Salvador – Decenas de miles de trabajadores salvadoreños salieron a marchar aquí en el día internacional de los trabajadores. El evento inició con tres marchas en diferentes partes de San Salvador que culminaron en la Plaza del Salvador del Mundo con un mitín conjunto. Las marchas empezaron en la Plaza Schafik Handal en Mejicanos, Árbol de la Paz por el Estadio Cuscatlán, y Boulevard de los Héroes. A la marcha se unieron muchos sindicatos, organizaciones sociales y organizaciones de izquierda. Los trabajadores celebraron sus logros incluso un aumento del salario mínimo. También expresaron su rechazo a la propuesta del sector privado para privatizar las pensiones. Los sindicatos presentaron su propia propuesta al gobierno del FMLN de una reforma al sistema de pensiones que garantice el derecho de los actuales pensionados y de los futuros pensionados.
San Salvador, El Salvador – Tens of thousands of Salvadoran workers came out to march here on International Workers Day. The event started with three marches from different parts of San Salvador that converged in the El Salvador del Mundo plaza for a unified rally. The marches started at Schafik Handal Plaza in Mejicanos, at Árbol de la Paz by Cuzcatlan Stadium, and on Boulevard de los Héroes. Many unions, social movement organizations and the left participated in the march. Workers celebrated their accomplishments including an increase to the minimum wage. They also expressed their rejection of a proposal from the private sector to privatize pensions. The unions presented their own proposal to the FMLN government to reform the pension system to guarantee a pension for current and future retirees.
Chicago, IL – On May 1, over 250 workers at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) picketed to demand a fair contract. Many members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 73 have been without a contract for almost two years.
Los Angeles, CA – The beautiful and unified chants of, “Chicano power! Immigrant power! Student power!” and “Que viva la Raza! Que viva Aztlán! Que viva Mexico!” was heard through the streets of the Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, May 1. The spirited May Day march proceeded on Chavez Avenue in the heart of Boyle heights where residents came out to cheer and show support. A short rally was held at the corners of Chicago and First Street at the LAPD Hollenbeck police station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero and other youth.
Houston, TX – There were two May Day events in Houston, Texas. Immigrant rights groups demanding an end to deportations and to defend the rights of undocumented workers organized a noontime march and rally. With some union support, the crowd of hundreds marched to Houston City Hall and rallied on the steps.
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 150 people rallied in downtown Salt Lake to celebrate May 1, International Workers Day. Hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the event assembled activists and organizers from a wide array of progressive groups in the valley, including Students for a Democratic Society, Utah Against Police Brutality, Workers World Party as well as many new people eager to get involved in local politics.
New York, NY – Several hundred gathered at Union Square on May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day. The event was one of several organized for the day and was put together by groups that are a part of the International League of People’s Struggles – North East.
Minneapolis, MN – On May 1, a broad coalition of unions, workers organizations, immigrant rights groups and other community organizations held a unified march in Minneapolis. The march marked 100 days of resistance to Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant, anti-worker and anti-Muslim agenda. Even though the weather was cold and rainy, 2000 protesters loudly chanted in the streets, stopping rush hour traffic all over the city.
Chicago, IL – Rasmea Odeh speaks to a massive crowd at the May Day rally at Union Park in Chicago, May 1. The International Workers Day action eventually grew to 20,000 people marching in the streets. Odeh, who represented the Arab American Action Network, highlighted organizing with Arab and Muslim immigrants to resist attacks coming from the Trump regime.
Tucson, AZ – Close to 300 activists took the streets on May 1, International Workers Day, to demand an end to attacks on immigrants and workers. The Tucson May Day Coalition saw participation from immigrant rights groups such as Derechos Humanos and LUPE as well as labor groups such as UFCW, CWA, teachers unions and a host other progressive organizations.
San José, CA – On May 1, thousands gathered at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in the heart of the Chicano/Mexicano community in east San José to kick off May Day. They then marched through downtown to the Arena Greens park. The march was many times larger than the year before, and many unions and community groups were represented. In addition to traditional themes of immigrant and workers’ rights, there were many anti-Trump protesters as well.
Minneapolis, MN – About 2000 people marched thought the streets of Minneapolis, May 1, International Workers Day. Organized by the Resist from Day One Coalition, the May Day march and rallies put forward demands for immigrant and workers' rights.
Minneapolis, MN – At a press conference, April 28, leaders of the Resist from Day One Coalition, announced plans for May 1 rallies and strikes converging in unified march in Minneapolis on ‘Day without Immigrants’ for immigrant and workers' rights.
Salt Lake City, UT – On May 1, Salt Lake City’s Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) will host a rally for May Day, International Workers’ Day. It will bring together laborers, immigrants, oppressed nationalities and all those in Utah who want to fight back against Trump and the system that allows his hate to flourish. Organizer say “Not one more deportation!” and “End attacks on the working class!”
