Across Europe, Central and South America, parts of Asia and Africa, people are celebrating a public holiday today. They celebrate because American workers in 1886 rebelled in Haymarket Square in Chicago. The resulting international workers federation designated May 1st as International Workers’ Day.
But in the country of the Haymarket Affair, the people marched today. They marched on behalf of American workers, immigrant workers, and for human rights in general. While prices continue to rise, the Democrats and Republicans have conspired against raising the minimum wage from $7.25. A baby born when the last minimum wage increase occurred is now of legal working age. Our federal labor laws still hold exemptions from minimum wage and maximum hours for telephone operators among other professions that still exist. These laws have not been updated to allow workers time and space from the boss’ digital tools that track employees at all times. U.S. parental leave policies are incredibly lacking, not only in comparison to our allies in the West, but also in comparison to Russia and most of the developing world as well.
Renowned immigrant rights groups were marching as well. The American workers and immigrants have more opportunity for success if they work together on labor and human rights issues. Marchers for peace in Palestine joined as well. The same war machine that supports forever wars and bombing also involve domestic police who are often trained by IDF and given leftover military equipment. We are aware that our police state will not only imprison and torture military targets and foreigners (as we are told the goal is), but also anyone else who is inconvenient including U.S. citizens. When there is no due process for immigrants or any other scapegoated group, there is no due process for anyone. All that must be claimed is a charge of immigration or terrorism, and the American is just as easily imprisoned without any chance of defense.
So the people marched. Greens marched. A couple of our local channels caught our very own Pam (pictured) in their 2 minute segments about the events in Downtown Milwaukee ending at Zeidler Union Square. We would like to thank her and all of the other people out today for making their voices heard on the vital issues of our times.