MAY DAY 2011!!

For Immediate Release:

Industrial Workers of the World - Grand Rapids

April 30, 2011


Grand Rapids Workers/Students Join Millions around the World in Celebrating MayDay

Local Organizations and Performers Come Together in the Spirit of Solidarity

Grand Rapids, MI - Community organizations and an historic labor union are preparing for a huge community event. May 1st marks the 125th anniversary of International Workers Day.
The origins of International Workers’ Day go back to 1886. When hundreds of thousands of workers across the United States went on strike. In Grand Rapids, 7,000 furniture workers of the Knights of Labor left their workplaces for an impromptu march . Workers demanded that their 10- and 12-hour work days be shortened to an 8-hour day with no reduction in pay. Over the next few years, thousands of workers won the 8-hour workday that many of us still enjoy today.

MayDay 2011 will be an attempt to revive that most effective weapon, the General Strike, in the 21st century class war being waged. A national network of labor unions and advocacy groups are planning actions across the country (http://maydayunited.org/about/organizations/) under the banner “Legalization and Jobs for All”

On April 30th, in Grand Rapids, we will celebrate the achievements won and prepare for the fight ahead. All participants at the celebration will be encouraged to participate in the General Strike of May 1 by not going to school, work, or shopping.

The celebration begins at 11 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. From 12 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a community potluck. From 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. there will be a "Really, Really Free Market" where people give and take items at no cost.

There will be performances throughout the day from solo to rock, hip-hop to electronic.

The local group Stop Targeting Our Kids will offer a range of kids activities such as face-painting, coloring, and games.

Speakers and resources will be available on issues such as LGBT rights, immigrant rights, workplace organizing, and more.

"In this current state of class war the working class has no option but to come together for our mutual benefit. An important lesson we want people to leave the May Day event with is that ‘the bosses need us we don't need them' said Shannon Williams IWW Treasurer and an organizer for the event. The IWW will announce plans on future organizing efforts and offer a collective strategy to fight against the austerity measures.

The Industrial Workers of the World is a rank-and-file labor union open to all workers.

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http://www.facebook.com/griww








May Day is an international worker's holiday and an opportunity for the community to come together for resources and entertainment. Last year the celebration brought out 200 members of the community of all ages. This years celebration will be bigger and better.

The event will take place Saturday April 30th at Martin Luther King Jr. Park from 11am to 8pm

**Rain or Shine

There will be a community potluck, Really Really Free Market, kids activities, and resources for working people. This year will also see a wide range of entertainment acts from rock to rap to poetry reading to dance troupes.

Acts:
Cabildo
Capoeira Mandinga
Radiator Hospital
Eric Glatz
Big Dudee Roo
Winter Break
Royl Space
Xtra Vomit
Pistolbrides
Ostradamas
Props
Focus Ferocious
Bottom Line Band
NorthStarrr / GangGreen
DJ Iceman
Vito & the Vegitable Bros.


Participating Organizations so far:
Black Autonomy Network Community Organization (BANCO), The Bloom Collective, Grand Rapids IWW, GRIID, Sprout Anarchist Collective, Transspectrum

See you May Day!