May Day — International Workers’ Day is gaining more relevance across the world after it has been ravaged by Covid 19 and the economic crisis. Working class struggle is back on the agenda. In 2019 and 2020 there has been a steady rise in protests — the Black Lives Matter in US, general strikes and farmers’ struggles in India, in defence of Womens’ rights in Poland, against neo-liberalism in Latin America, against corruption and authoritarianism in Belarus and Russia, and most recently the heroic struggle of the Myanmar people against the military coup. More and more the central role of the working class is coming to the fore — as demonstrated by the heroic medical workers in the vanguard of the Myanmar struggle. In the United States, 65% of Americans now support Unions.
This is why ISA actively participates and initiates public, and often innovative actions on 1st May. These are some of them:
Scotland:
With elections to the Scottish Parliament this week there was a large pro-independence demonstration in Glasgow. ISA members participated for the first time.
England:
With the Tory government facing a serious crisis over sleaze, opposition is growing. London saw a large demonstration against a new law giving police new powers. We were there.
In Liverpool, supporters ensured that our mark was made in the City’s labour movement demonstration.
Socialist Alternative also participated in demonstrations in Leeds, Sheffield, Canterbury, Brighton, Coventry, Leamington, Huddersfield, Manchester, Leicester and more.
Sweden:
In Sweden gatherings of more than six are still banned — but this did not stop our supporters campaigning in Stockholm over housing — with music too!
In Gothenburg the protest was mobile.
Austria:
SLP members were active in five cities.
Germany:
Here too we were active across the country.
Myanmar:
It’s now three months since the start of the heroic struggle in Myanmar. The week-end saw renewed protests to mark the “Spring revolution” — initiated by medical workers.
The ISA used this to express their solidarity.
Belgium:
A joint protest by ISA and Rosa members send their support to Myanmar.
Taiwan:
ISA supporters in Taipei were also active participants in the solidarity with Myanmar demonstration there.
China and Hong Kong:
With the dramatic increase in repression here it has been difficult for revolutionary socialists to mark May Day. Their comrades in Taiwan had however a good presence.
Russia:
In Russia too, where our comrades face arrest and long terms of imprisonment for public activity organised activity was not possible. But our ideas are spreading. In Nizhni-Novgorod — new supporters fly-posted the city until chased by the police.
Nigeria:
Members of the Movement for Socialist Alternative participated in two states: Lagos and Ibadan.
South Africa:
Workers and Socialist Party activists took part in the Labour movement protests but had another reason to celebrate — their facebook page reached 4000 likes.
Brazil:
Our Brazilian comrades were active across the country in various May Day activities, which the assisted with the publication of a special statement.
United States:
Here a new impulse to workers struggle has been given by the growth in support for trade unions. Members of Socialist Alternative have been active across the country — here are pictures of our May Day activities in Philadelphia in the North and Texas in the South.
Canada:
Here Socialist Alternative in the midst of the Covid pandemic have used May Day to campaign for proper sick leave provisions.
Ireland:
Back in Europe, our comrades in Ireland who have actively supported the Debenham workers through their long campaign combined their public activities with on-line events.
Netherlands:
Here we took part in the Labour movement protests.
Poland:
And in Krakow ISA members have continued their campaigning on May Day for womens’ rights.
In conclusion:
International Socialist Alternative is a global fighting organization of workers, young people and all those oppressed by capitalism and imperialism. With a presence in over 30 countries on all continents, we fight to advance a working-class alternative across national borders, for a socialist world. Join us!