Welcome May Day
There are commemorations that history cannot afford to archive into oblivion. May 1st is one of them. On that day in 1886, nearly 400,000 workers took to the streets of Chicago on strike, demanding decent working conditions. What began as a demonstration of labor strength continued in the following days amidst tension and growing repression.
TL;DR
- May 1st commemorates the 1886 Chicago workers' strike for decent conditions.
- The Haymarket affair resulted in police brutality and the execution of labor leaders, known as the Martyrs of Chicago.
- In 1889, May 1st was established as International Workers' Day.
- Key historical worker demands included the 'three eights': eight hours for work, eight for rest, and eight for education.
- In Colombia, May 1st commemorations faced deliberate obstacles but the right to strike was won in 1919.
- The article urges workers to analyze candidates and their parties thoroughly before voting in upcoming elections.
- Abstaining from voting or casting a blank vote is presented as detrimental to the labor movement.