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Posts Tagged ‘May Day’

Resurrected, Make/Shifted, and Returned from Los Angeles

6:15 am By Maegan La Mala · Arts|Culture|Events|Los Angeles|Poetry · Comments Off

3 May 2011

Regular readers will note that posting, tweeting and Facebooking has been light to non-existent. It’s not that there hasn’t been a lot going on : more empty words from Washington on immigration while politicians and the media have seemingly discovered the “R” section of the dictionary and want us to as well when it comes to the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Revenge, Relief, Remembrance, Reaction. I was engaged in some “R” words of my own. Reading y Relaxation.

Two Saturdays ago, I had the honor of performing in an amazing collaboration put together by the author and curator of talents, Charlie Vázquez. Resurrection, a series of performance and poetry pieces took place on Easter Eve at los Kabayitos Theater inside the Clemente Soto Velez complex of the Lower East Side of NYC. I shared space with Aravind Adyanthaya, J Skye Cabrera, Lola von Miramar (Larry La Fountain-Stokes), Carlos Manuel Rivera, Vanessa Martir, Charlie Vazquez, y Steven Maldonado. There was also visual art gracias to the Organization of Puerto Rican Artists, Inc. (O.P.Art) before and after the show featuring art by Everardus Bogardus , Giovanni Caravaggio, Pepe Villegas, Rafael Rosario-Laguna,
Luis Carle, and Peter Madero III. I only saw portions of the performance but there will be a video available shortly and honestly the warmth I received from the other artists and the full house really resurrected me as an artist. So thank you to all who came to the show including our own Bianca Laureano, fellow Latina artista Alicia Anabell, City Council Woman Melissa Mark Viverito, and Puerto Rican activist Pedro Julio Serrano.

From there it was onto Los Angeles. What was originally just supposed to be a vacation and participating in May Day LA, turned into my West Coast reading debut thanks to the amazing people behind the Make/shift Reclamation Tour, Jess Hoffman and Hilary Goldberg, who just happened to be in Southern Cali at the same time I was. I read a new poem at Cal State Los Angeles and share space with Jess, Hillary, Fabiola Sandoval, tk karakashian tunchez with Film/Video/Audio by Alexis Pauline Gumbs and imMEDIAte Justice.
Read more…

New York City Says Shame on Arizona and Shame on Schumer

8:50 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Immigration|New York City · 1 Comment

3 May 2010

This past Saturday, May 1st, thousands rallied and marched across the country celebrating May Day and celebrating the immigrants that work hard in the United States. Pero, understanding that there is work to be done, against a series of anti-immigrant and anti-Latino laws passed in Arizona and for real comprehensive immigration reform.

I was at Union Square this May Day, as I have been for the past three May Days. The message was clear from the young people and families that filled the park and then filled blocks as they marched downtown towards Foley Square. The message was a push back against Arizona but also a push back against the REPAIR proposal put forth by Democratic Senators biometric Chuck Schumer (NY), Robert Menendez (NJ), and Harry Reid (NV).

What Are You Doing for May Day?

7:14 am By Maegan la Mamita Mala · Cities|Immigration · Comments Off

30 Apr 2010

May Day was the deadline that many immigration advocates put out there as the deadline for a comprehensive immigration reform bill to be put on the table. The 26 page Democratic proposal released yesterday should be an unacceptable option for justice loving people and there are marches and events planned all over the country (and all over the world- May Day is an international holiday after all).

Here in NY, I am hosting my own May Day eve vigil in solidarity con la comunidad de Arizona and against SB1070.
Corona Plaza, Queens NYC
8 pm
April 30, 2010

On Saturday I’ll be bouncing between the Union Square, NYC rally and the one at Foley Plaza, both scheduled to jump off at noon.

Reform Immigration For America has a listing of marches and rallies being held across the country. To find one near you visit them here.
See you at the marchas!

Images from NYC May Day 2009 Immigrant Rally & March

3 May 2009

You may have noticed that I didn’t post on Friday, May Day. It wasn’t cuz I was being lazy. I was in Union Square, NYC with my daughters, at the May Day Rally and March for Immigrants.

The number of people at the rally this year was much smaller than last year, and I’m sure the sudden downpour didn’t help. Pero the energy of the people that were there was strong, especially the many Latino workers and community members who were there, singing, chanting, and dancing.

I put together this little slideshow cosita con musica de Lila Downs. And yes, that is amigo Kaieating an empanada during the march. And yes those are my chicas at the end.

Enjoy.

P.S : i have some video clips that I will share soon as well.

Were you at any May Day Immigrant events? Tell us.

May Day protests/celebrations throughout Europe

12:27 pm By la Macha · Labor · Comments Off

1 May 2009

maydayattacks As May Day activities heat up here in the U.S., Europe is already in the thick of things. France, of course, is in the workers rights lead–managing to bring out tens of thousands (as compared to–um, NONE where I live).

From the BBC News:

Some 300 rallies are taking place across France, which has already seen strikes by hospital staff, fishermen and university staff, among others.

Across the country, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux and Grenoble, ahead of a major demonstration in Paris.

This year’s traditional Labour Day in France comes against a backdrop of mounting social tension, reports the BBC’s Paris correspondent Emma Jane Kirby.

There is a growing perception that little has been done to protect the ordinary person’s job and wages, while executives from banks bailed out by the government have enjoyed generous pay-offs and bonuses, she says.

The country’s eight main unions have urged people to come out and protest in their third such day of action this year.

Violence erupted in Istanbul as hundreds of left-wing and trade union groups tried to pass through police checkpoints into the city’s main Taksim square.

The protesters had been refused permission to hold rallies in the square but, as in previous years, they chose to ignore the ban, reports the BBC’s David O’Byrne in Istanbul.

The marchers took to the back streets after they were met with police water cannon, and hurled stones and other missiles at police who responded by firing tear gas.

When capitalism exists as a world wide economic structure, it doesn’t make much sense to me to have an ununionized work force. Make no mistake, unions have their problems–they aren’t the perfect solution to all the problems works face. But they’re the best thing the worker has right now–and workers are *entitled* to the protection (however limited) unions can bring them.

Solidarity forever!

May Day / Pro-Migrant Events Around the US

11:26 am By Maegan La Mala · Activism|Cities|Events|Immigration|States · 3 Comments

28 Apr 2009

This Friday is May Day. Traditionally a workers holiday, now it is a day to show support, solidarity and represent for immigrants. With ICE raids still happening, detention facilities making money for private companies with the blood of our community, and the DREAM Act still not passed, communities across the country need to make this May Day one of the largest.

1. ARIZONA Phoenix, AZ – Marcha Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum to State Capitol 8:30 AM AZ
2. Tucson, AZ – Marcha y mitin – South Gate Shopping Center 8 AM AZ

CALIFORNIA
3. Berkeley, CA Rally y Marcha – Sproul Plaza al City Hall, 11 AM CA
4. Cal State Dominguez Hills: Labor and Social Justice Fair Conference CA
5. Calexico, May 1st Binational immigration symposium Conference – 08:30 AM-08:30 PM CA
6. Chico, CA Mitin/Marcha – City Hall, 3 – 8 PM CA
7. Davis, CA Mitin y marcha – UC Davis Campus, 11 – 2 PM CA
8. Farmersville, CA – Marcha – Parque Memorial 4 PM CA
9. Fort Bragg, CA – Marcha, Tienda La Bamba 9:00 AM CA
10. Fresno, CA Eaton Plaza March (at the water tower) Gathering at 5:00 p.m begins at 6:00 p.m. CA
11. Fresno, CA Mitin y marcha – Centro Civico – Fulton Mall 4 – 8 PM CA
12. HAYWARD, CA – March & Rally – 10 a.m. Weekes Park @ 27182 Patrick Ave, 10:30 – 12:30 March to City Hall, 1:30 Rally @ City Hall CA
13. Los Angeles, CA ABRIL 30 Immigrant Rights Teach In – Antioch University 2 PM CA
14. Los Angeles, CA March by MIWON & LA County Fed, 1:30 PM Meet @ Echo Park, 4:30 PM Rally& postcard action @ Placita Olvera CA
15. Los Angeles, CA Marcha – Cinco Puntos a City Hall 11 AM CA
16. Los Angeles, CA Marcha – Olympic/Broadway 12 PM CA
17. Los Angeles, CA Marcha y Mitin – 3rd/Vermont a McArthur Park 2 – 7 PM CA
18. Madera, CA – Mitin, 5 PM CA
19. Martinez, CA – Vigilia y marcha, Martinez Marina 5:30 PM CA
20. Mendota, CA ABRIL 29 Marcha de los Niños – 10 AM CA
21. Modesto, CA – Mitin – Hatch Road/Crow Landing, 10 AM CA
22. Modesto, CA ABRIL 29 Rally-March – Gil’s Plaza 3 PM CA
23. Mountain View, CA – Vigilia – The Worker Center, Calvary Church 5 PM CA
24. Mountain View, CA Vigilia – The Worker Center, Calvary Church 5 PM CA
25. NAPA, CA – Vigilia / Vigil – Veterans Park in Napa Downtown From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m CA
26. Oakland, CA: Program at Fruitvale Plaza 3:30-4:30pm Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum to State Capitol CA
27. Oakland, CA: Students/Youth MARCH to City Hall! 10:00 AM-01:00 PM GATHER at High St. and International Blvd. CA
28. Riverside, CA: Immigrants / Workers Rights = Human Rights MayDay March CA
29. Sacramento, CA – Marcha, Hiram Johnson High School a State Capitol 10 AM CA
30. Salinas, CA – Cuatro marchas – Constitutional y Laurel, 12 PM – 5 PM CA
31. San Diego, CA – Marcha – Chicano Park a City Hall, 10 AM CA
32. San Diego, CA – Rally – City College, 3 PM CA
33. San Francisco, CA: SF May Day March And Rally – Dolores Park 12 Noon March to Civic Center for 4 PM Rally CA
34. San Jose, CA: May Day Action – Mi Pueblo Shopping Center, Story Rd. & King Rd. to City Hall, 04:00 PM-06:00 PM CA
35. San Rafael, CA – Vigilia y marcha – Community Center – Canal, 6 AM – 10 AM CA
36. Santa Barbara, CA – Begins at 6:30pm in Presidio Springs at 721 Laguna Street CA
37. Santa Cruz, CA: May 1st March & Rally for Immigrant & Worker Rights CA
38. Santa Rosa, CA – Marcha – Old Albertsons Shopping Center 11 AM CA
39. SFA ‘Dine with Dignity’ May 1st Campus actions CA

CANADA
40. Vancouver CANADA Marcha, Solidaridad con Inmigrantes, Migrantes e Indocumentados- Clark Park a Grandview Park 6 PM Canada

More event listings after the jump.
Read more…

Notes from the NYC Union Square May Day Pro-Immigrant Rally

8:06 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · New York City · Comments Off

2 May 2008

After the Beyond Borders screening, it was time to head to Union Square Park. At 12:15 pm, the park was pretty empty, save the police and set up people. At 2:30 , it still was pretty empty. On the side of the park where the rally was not happening, the rest of NYC seemed to be oblivious or not care what was going on, as organizers led a practice round of bilingual chants (which were way too long!)

Hitting the playground with my kids as we waited for the official rally to start, immigrant women of color nannies watched their white charges. One said that she knew of the rally but had to work, she then called her friend to let her know about the rally.

Read more about what went down (including how a racist woman got in my kid’s face) after the jump.

Union Plans to Close Ports To Protest Iraq War

9:59 am By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism|Iraq War|Labor|San Francisco · Comments Off

1 May 2008

May Day has it’s roots in the labor movement so it is fitting that labor activists on the West Coast are flexing their muscle today to make a statement about the Iraq War.

On May 1, all 29 ports on the U.S. West Coast are to be shut down by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in protest against the U.S. war on Afghanistan and Iraq. The Bay Area ILWU local was the first American union to condemn the war. In April 2003, as invading U.S. troops reached Baghdad, six longshoremen were injured and a union official was arrested as police fired on hundreds of antiwar protesters in the port of Oakland.
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) notified the union on April 3 that it “doesn’t consent to a stop-work meeting or any other effort to disrupt port operations.” Subsequently the PMA threatened union leaders with court action under Taft-Hartley if they don’t call it all off.
Supporters of the ILWU will meet in San Francisco at Mason and Beach (in Fishersmans’ Wharf) at 10:30 am on May Day. There will then be a march to a 12 noon rally in Justin Herman Plaza.

Via / IMC

May Day Actions in Defense of Immigrant Families Announced

1:13 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism|Cities|Immigration · 8 Comments

16 Apr 2008

With the weather getting nice, it’s time to get your marching shoes on. The marches and actions for the National Day of Action in Defense of Immigrant Families have been announced for May 1st.
Check after the jump for all the activities in the cities near you.

May Day History : Latinas Always Have Been on the Front Lines

1:46 pm By Jennifer Woodard Maderazo · Activism|history|Labor|Women · Comments Off

1 May 2007

It is no accident that May 1st was chosen as the day to hold massive rallies across the country to defend the rights of immigrant workers. May 1st, commonly known as May Day, is the original labor day. It began in the United States and with a Latina at the head of the movement.

May Day has its roots in the labor movement of the late 1800′s. In Chicago in 1886 labor activists held a general strike demanding an 8 hour day. Lucy Parsons Gonzalez, an African-, Native- and Mexican-, mother to two children and possibly born a slave in Texas, was leader in the strike along with her husband.

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