2012 Richmond May Day Events Announced!
Richmond Industrial Workers of the World R-IWW
Originally Posted Here: [ http://flyingbrickrva.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/rva-may-day-weekend-schedule-of-events/ ]
May Day! Workers of the World Unite!
This is our day! International Workers Day! Our day to recognize and appreciate the social and economic achievements of the international labor movement. The struggle began in 1884 when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions passed a resolution that would enact an eight-hour workday beginning on May 1, 1886. On May 4th, 1886 during a general strike for the eight hour day in Chicago, police fired on strikers and killed a dozen people in what has become known as the Haymarket Massacre. In 1890, Labor activists, Leftists, Socialists and Anarchists began celebrating May 1 as the International Worker’s Holiday to achieve “…the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, the class demands of the proletariat, and universal peace.”
With the specter of a market free of government regulation that reaches far beyond the familiar borders of the United States, there is a need, more than ever, for a labor movement that demands for the rights of working people, and holds accountable the government and corporations for the injustices that we are forced to endure at the mercy of the wealthy.
The Struggle Continues! We must Organize!
There is no time better than now! From the office worker in a business suit to the construction worker in coveralls, no one has been left untouched. Corporate greed permeates every aspect of our lives as workers are laid off without benefits and left to fight to save their homes from foreclosure. While the city becomes a destination for the suburban middle class, protections for lower income residents are virtually non existent. Urban planners are heralded for ushering new life, income and opportunities into the area, but they also inadvertently pave the way for gentrification and the displacement of those who depend on the proximity of jobs and public transportation to survive. Developers left unchecked by city government are threatening Public Housing residents with the prospect of becoming homeless. All the while, institutional racism continues to permeate our culture, with hate groups on the rise in both membership and influence. And despite the popular movement demanding health care for all, the decision has been handed over to the insurance companies.
The economy has reached an all time low and workers are left to fend for themselves with few solutions. Immigrant and migrant workers continue to be scapegoated drawing attention away from the role of corporations and the destabilizing effects of free trade agreements. Recognizing our similarities rather than differences, we are united around the core principle that we must link arms and fight back in the spirit of those that came before us in a true display of solidarity.
This May Day we wish to demonstrate the presence of a labor movement in Richmond that is ready to fight against the multitude of injustices in our communities. We wish to unite individuals, faith based groups, unions, students, teachers and progressive organizations who will stand in solidarity with one another, for economic & social justice, freedom, and equality! And overall, we wish to better define the overlapping issue of capitalism that exists at the root of all our working class woes.
Schedule of Events:
:::: Wednesday, April 25, 2012: Direct Action Training!
Where: Bainbridge Collective 1300 Brainbridge Avenue | When: 5:30pm (potluck) 6:30pm (training)| Trainer: Jeff Winder | www.waysidecenter.org | www.13ainbridgecollective.tumblr.com
:::: Friday, April 27, 2012: Public Housing Teach-In & Neighborhood Cookout!
Where:1600 Colorado Avenue When: 4:00pm – 7:00pm | http://www.facebook.com/events/123679377755723/
Description: Join RePHRAME and Public Housing Residents for food and a presentation on the issues facing public housing communities and the larger Richmond community, and how they are intertwined.
:::: Friday, April 27, 2012: Pre-May Day Show and Screenprinting!
Where: Wingnut Anarchist Collective, 2005 Barton Ave. When: 7pm-11pm | More Info: [ here ]
Description: Performances by Jake Mayday, Snail Party, My Son the Doctor
:::: Friday April 27, 2012: IWW Worker Solidarity Action
Where: Shuttle from Wingnut Show, 2005 Barton Ave / Meet at Penny Lane Pub When: 11pm – ?
Description: Show up for details.
:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: Richmond Bicycle Co-Op Open House!
Where: Bike Co-op, 1806 Currie Ave (Near VUU, off Admiral) When: 11am-12:30pm | rvabikecoop.wordpress.com
Description: A Critical Mass Bike Ride will commence at 1:00pm from the Bike Co-op to a destination to be determined.
:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: ”Marxism as a Guide to Practical Action” Presentation and Discussion
Where: The Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St. When: 12:00pm
Description: Coffee provided! Bring a breakfast/brunch snack! This is intended as a friendly discussion, not a debate! No extensive theory knowledge required! Hosted by Phil Wilayto
:::: Saturday April 28, 2012: ‘Rebel Voices: An IWW Anthology’ & Labor Discussion
Where: VCU Student Commons, 907 Floyd Avenue — Forum Room When: 7pm-9pm | more info: [ here ]
Description: Join the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World and organizer Daniel Gross as he reads selected stories from ‘Rebel Voice: an IWW anthology’.
After the readings a discussion will be facilitated by Daniel Gross. Gross is a labor lawyer, author and long time organizer with the IWW. Gross is also co-founder of Brandworkers International, a non-profit organization protecting and advancing the rights of food and retail workers . On the issue of workers’ rights, the New York Times has called him, “earnest, articulate, and dogmatic to a flaw…”. A graduate of Fordham Law School, he serves on the executive committee of the National Lawyers Guild Labor and Employment Committee.
:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: ‘Employee Rights’ Day of Action #1
When: All Day Where: TBD | Info: [ here ]
Description: We will be delivering Federally mandated ‘Employee Rights’ leaflets to passers-by in various bustling parts of the city. If you would like to help please get in touch with the Richmond IWW.
:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: A Children’s March for Sharing!
Where: Monroe Park, off Belvidere, near VCU When: 1pm | http://www.facebook.com/events/311420708928652/
Description: Bring materials to help kids make signs and banners, and march through the park! Bring noise makers!
:::: Sunday April 29, 2012: May Day Potluck with Food Not Bombs!
Where: Monroe Park When: 4pm | richmondfoodnotbombs.wordpress.com
Description: Join FNB for their weekly meal that has been happening for 18 years! Bring a vegan dish and friends!
:::: Monday April 30, 2012: ‘Employee Rights’ Day of Action #2
When: All Day Where: TBD | Info: [ here ]
Description: We will be delivering Federally mandated ‘Employee Rights’ posters directly to employers. If you would like to help please get in touch with the Richmond IWW.
:::: Monday April 30, 2012: May Day Banner Making
Where: The Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St. When: TBA | flyingbrickrva.wordpress.com
:::: Monday April 30, 2012: Live Nude Girls Unite! Film Screening & Discussion
Where: Flying Brick Library, 506 S. Pine St When: 6:30pm | www.livenudegirlsunite.com/index2.html
Description: Members of the Richmond Industrial Workers of the World will be presenting a documentary about strippers unionizing. Synopsis: This first person documentary follows Julia Query, lesbian/stand-up comedian/peepshow-stripper, and daughter of a feminist activist, on her raucous journey to help organize the only union of strippers in the United States. Shot on a variety of formats, Live Nude Girls Unite! weaves backstage and dancing footage with labor organizing, street protests, stand-up comedy and comic-book style “animation” making an intelligent and dramatic cutting-edge film.
:::: Monday April 30, 2012: Worker’s Social Night!
Where: Commercial Taphouse (Upstairs), 111 N. Robinson St. When: 8pm-10:30pm
Description: On the last Monday of every month the Commercial Tap House plays host to Workers Social Night! Local, Legend Draft Beers are on tap, and cheap! Tip Your Server!
:::: Tuesday May 1, 2012: May Day Worker’s Rally & Parade!
Where: Monroe Park, off Belvidere/Main St When: 5:00pm (rally) 6:00pm (parade)
:::: WednesdayMay 2, 2012: Post- May Day Country/Bluegrass Show
Where: Wingnut Anarchist Collective, 2005 Barton Ave When: 7pm
Description: Love Banshee (Toronto), Pete Hamilton (RVA), Ben Shirley (RVA) All Ages. Sober. Bring some money for the touring band/band merch!
Richmond Industrial Workers of the World • P.O. Box 7055 • Richmond, Virginia 23221-0055
(e) richm...@gmail.com • (w) www.richmondiww.org • (p) 804-496-1568