Anti-Racism Update 4.29.26

Updated on

AR QUIZ

  • What is the origin of May Day?

ACTION

  • May 1st Day of Action and National Strike. No Work, No School, No Shopping. 12pm Library Mall, 1pm March to the Capitol, 2pm Capitol program starts at the top of State St. National Demands: Abolish ICE, Citizenship for All, An Economy for All. Additional ways you can support: Do not shop on May 1st. Contact your State Legislators to support driver’s licenses for all. At the federal level, reject policies that criminalize immigrants and separate families. https://vdlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/May_Day_2026_Day_Without_Immigrants_Flyer_English.pdf

EDUCATION

AR QUIZ ANSWER

  • Many Americans know little about International Workers’ Day (May Day), often assuming it’s a communist holiday. In fact, it has roots in both the ancient festival of Beltane and the U.S. labor movement. In 1884, labor leaders called for an eight-hour workday, child labor protections, and a five day work week, sparking mass strikes on May 1, 1886, including a major movement in Chicago. Violence followed, including the Haymarket Square incident, where a bomb and gunfire left multiple people dead. Today, May Day is being reclaimed in the U.S. as a celebration of workers’ rights. Groups like May Day Strong and American Friends Service Committee are calling for nationwide action—rallies, marches, and strikes—focused on economic fairness, opposing war and immigration enforcement policies, and supporting democracy.


YOUR PEACE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EARTH CONCERNS COMMITTEE; ANTI RACISM GROUP

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