May Day or International Workers Day, started in Chicago Illinois in May 1886 when a labor union, trying to get better working conditions, like an eight hour work day, met with police bent on violence. Someone ultimately threw a bomb, and to this day we still do not know who. The police began shooting at the unarmed protestors, several were arrested, convicted and sentenced to hang. Most of those hung were immigrants. May Day, now held on 1 May every year, is in recognition of that first deadly protest in Chicago, and is a regular holiday in almost every industrialized country, except America. Since Donald Tramp restole the election and has totally desecrated the American Constitution, there have been regular protests all across the country. This march from Mission and 16th Streets to City Hall in San Francisco, is about two miles (3.2K). Many of the people who came were draped in, or carrying flags mostly of one of the Latin American countries, but also the Palestinian flag as well as the Gay and Lesbian Rainbow flag and the Blue, Pink and White Transgender flags were evident. There are also inverted American flags, when they are intentionally flown upside down, as a symbol of distress. A very diverse racial group came out and participated, young and old, all gender identities accepted. There was also a woman with a matraca, a type of noise maker which they spin around, and was brought over by the Spanish during their colonization period. The word itself means 'rattle', and is used in Spain during Holy Week when they do not use bells. As witnessed 1 May 2025.
|
