Workers in countries all over the world joined marches and rallies on Wednesday to mark International Workers’ Day, or May Day, with progressive political leaders joining some events and other protests being quashed by law enforcement.
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was among the organizations that promoted the international event on social media, tweeting, “A fighting workers’ union is the answer” to workplace injustice.
Happy #MayDay, Fellow Workers! #1u pic.twitter.com/dwLh6YmHFQ
— Industrial Workers of the World (@iww) May 1, 2019
Demonstrations in Paris on Wednesday were among the rallies that have grown violent through the years.
Police fired tear gas at protesters as the French government warned the demonstration may be overtaken by vandals.
May Day in Paris pic.twitter.com/5e2c3CL6KF
— aris roussinos (@arisroussinos) May 1, 2019
Other rallies across Europe and around the world remained peaceful, with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators calling on governments to push for family leave laws, fair living wages, and an end to workplace discrimination, particularly against immigrants.
London
London May Day March. United for workers’ rights across the world. ✊ #solidarity #InternationalWorkersDay2019 pic.twitter.com/kWuPpSRY2S
— Jen Thornton (@jenthornton01) May 1, 2019
Madrid
¡Feliz Día Internacional de los Trabajadores!
— Umaar Kazmi 🔻 (@UmaarKazmi) May 1, 2019
I'm very impressed with how May Day is commemorated in Spain. Everything, except small shops and cafes, is closed… including schools and universities! People are just going about their days, relaxing in the hot weather. pic.twitter.com/K0NGVugFfN
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Solidarity from SGSF members to workers and allies around the world on May Day. #MayDay2019 #DecentWork #UnionStrong @IndustriALL_GU pic.twitter.com/hhchtyNftM
— SGSF (@SGSF_Federation) May 1, 2019
South Carolina
Thousands of South Carolina educators walked out today to demand full funding for public schools. #MayDay pic.twitter.com/uoTH47yZBX
— Eric Blanc (@_ericblanc) May 1, 2019
Orkney, South Africa
Marching with workers and the Alliance leadership to the James Motlatsi Stadium where the rally will commence #InternationalWorkersDay2019 #MayDay2019 pic.twitter.com/t1sIcPa1Md
— Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane (@mmKubayiNgubane) May 1, 2019
In the U.S., a number of other labor organizations tweeted about the day’s significance.
Our rights weren't gifted. They were won by workers who refused to accept second best. Happy #InternationalWorkersDay #MayDay #MayDay2019 #1u pic.twitter.com/SKt829ZS1g
— AFL-CIO (@AFLCIO) May 1, 2019
|￣￣￣￣￣￣￣|
— NationalNursesUnited (@NationalNurses) May 1, 2019
| WHEN |
|WORKERS ARE |
| ORGANIZED |
| WE WIN! |
| ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿|
(\__/) ||
(•ㅅ•) ||
/ づ
Happy #MayDay!#1u
Progressive lawmakers from around the world, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Barbara Lee in the U.S. and British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, tweeted support for workers who were protesting Wednesday.
May Day’s roots date back to the late 19th century in the Chicago, where workers went on strike to protest their long, grueling working hours in unsafe factories, construction sites, and other environments. The protests are credited with beginning the labor movement in the United States.
The labor celebration is now an official holiday in 66 countries.
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