Why don't we, here in the U.S.A., have a May Day (5/1) Parade?

[Up2Late]

Just asking, it seems like most other "Working People" in other countries, have these Parades, Why don't we?

Did they pass a law in the 1950's banning these? Is it an "Communist Paranoia" thing?:shrug:

[goodhue]

1. We do.

At least where I live. 1000s braved snow in Minneapolis to attend.

http://www.heartofthebeasttheatre.org/mayday/

[goodhue]

5. Minneapolis May Day parade history

http://www.heartofthebeasttheatre.org/mayday/parade/history.html

The spring of 1975 was our first MayDay Festival. Our original impetus for this Festival was quite simple. We wanted to give a gift to the community that was supporting our theatre, and to create a celebration that would bring people together out of their homes at the end of winter. The Vietnam War ended just 2 weeks before the event and our little procession was exuberantly joyful. We were a group of 50 or 60 people, an Earth puppet, a Water puppet, several birds, two accordions, and many banners. When we got to the park, we raised a Maypole puppet and hosted a few small performances and some MayDay speeches.

Nowadays, the organizing work of the festival is a year-round task. Each February we host our first public brainstorming sessions, when we invite all to share ideas and images towards developing the specific theme for the year. The thoughtful themes of the past years echo the pulse of our south Minneapolis neighborhoods, and as such, the chronology of themes tells a peculiarly imaginative history of the times.

2004 Leap! Into the Wondrous Possible
2003 This Is Our Child
2002 MayDay! MayDay!
2001 Prayer for the Flowering of Compassion
2000 Divining Economy ­ Calling Forth Our Common Wealth
1999 Somos Uno
1998 Sing!
1997 May Abundant Blessings Flow
1996 Be A Bridge
1995 Gorgeous Fever of Consciousness: Honor Your Senses
1994 Seeds: Awesome Vessels of Power
1993 Let The Sleeper Wake
1992 I Am Another Yourself
1991 Return To Turtle Island
1990 Wheels of Change Ever Whirling
1989 Voices of Trees
1988 When The Dragon Speaks
1987 We May Be Family After All
1986 Corn
1985 Our World Home
1984 10th Anniversary
1983 Water #2
1982 Water #1
1981 In Honor of Change
1980 The Year of the Child
1979 Wake Up!
1978 Changes
1977 Seasons
1976 Noah's Ark
1975 The First MayDay

[Up2Late]

7. I like the 2002 theme, MayDay! MayDay!

That's a great list, I like the optimism of the 1993 to 2000 years.:hippie: :applause:

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

2. As I understand it

We have Labor Day at a different time of the year so workers in this country would not identify with May Day and the world socialist movement or something like that...

You know, no "Workers of the World Unite" in the USA!

[Up2Late]

4. That's pretty much what I figured, I'd be interested in more comments...

...reguarding this, and the History behind it.B-)

[Debs]

9. Yes about as far from Mayday as possible

What is ironic, is that Mayday began as a worldwide celebration of solidarity toward AMERICAN workers demanding a 40hr workweek

[madinmaryland]

3. We had a May Day parade in my community in

northwestern Ohio at least until the late 60's. Don't remember why it got cancelled, other than maybe the association to the communist movement.

[CWebster]

6. because we equate Capitalism with Democracy.

the worker? lol.

[Bridget Burke]

8. May Day began as a Workers' holiday here in the USA....

The first May Day, in 1886, was a call for eight-hour workdays by the workers in many American cities; it is now mostly associated with the Haymarket Martyrs. A bomb thrown by an unknown person at a labor rally in Chicago's Haymarket Square killed one policeman; authorities rounded up whom they considered to be the leaders of the local labor movement and put them on trial. Mother Jones said of the incident: "The workers asked only for bread and a shortening of the long hours of toil. The agitators gave them visions. The police gave them clubs." ......

Because of the chilling effect this event had on labor, the next May Day wasn't observed until 1890. Spurred by a resolution from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the International Socialist Congress, this day saw parades not only in American cities but simultaneous demonstrations throughout the European industrial centers and in Havana, Cuba. The common theme was the demand for guaranteed eight-hour workdays, and to raise awareness of the common class struggle existing in all countries. From that time on, May Day became an annual gathering of the working class in industrial countries.

In the US, Labor Day was started in September of 1882, and quickly became an official holiday at the same time May Day spread throughout the world. Labor Day is a time to celebrate the contributions American workers had given their country, unlike May Day events, which focused on the international class struggle. It remains a patriotic holiday, and compared to the first May Day demonstrations, Labor Day is recognized by relatively staid parades and speeches.

http://students.washington.edu/ruckus/vol-2/issue-6/mayday.html

Labor Day came first & May Day became the "radical" holiday. (In San Francisco some years ago--I remember a very cool poster for a joint celebration by the IWW & local Pagans.)