Many Americans are not aware that this tradition of May Day as a–workers' holiday–began here in the United States as part of the struggle for the 8-hour work day in the 1880's. We are working to put Gainesville back on the map as one of the many communities around the United States that is participating in the ongoing revival of this tradition. (Some of y'all may recall the fantastic May Day 2000 march and rally on the Plaza, and last year's Woody Guthrie songfest, also on the Plaza.)
In that spirit we’ve pulled together a number of Gainesville-area progressive organizations, unions, and grassroots groups to join in gathering creative energy for this spectacular holiday.
We plan to celebrate in solidarity with the immigrants' rights movement, which chose May Day 2006 as a day for a general strike by immigrant workers and students, and is planning further demonstrations around the country this year.
We will also be celebrating May Day in the spirit of the ancient tradition of the rites of spring, so flowers, costumes, garlands, dancing, face paint for kids and related fun, nature-oriented visuals and activities will be greatly appreciated.
Come join us to make this a truly community-wide celebration.
Schedule of events for May Day Celebrations:
• 4/27–Critical Mass May Day Ride, 5 p.m, Plaza of the Americas, University
of Florida Campus, Gainesville
• 4/27– Celebration of Labor Film Series, 8:30 p.m., "Matewan," outdoor screening at the corner of N.W. 5th Ave. and N.W. 3rd St.
• 4/28–Sign and Banner Making, 12-4 p.m., Plaza of the Americas, University of
Florida Campus, Gainesville
• 4/28–Lars Din Song Riot CD release and May Day show, with The Ones to
Blame, The Deep and Holy Sea, and more! Including the Capitalist Pig piñata,
May Day cake, and radical cheerleading! 10 p.m., Common Grounds, 210 S.W. 2nd
Ave., Gainesville
• 4/29–"Whistle While You Work: Worker Inequities and the Real Labor Day,"
services at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, 11 a.m., 4225
N.W. 34th St.
• 4/29–May Day Mural Painting, 2 p.m., 34th Street Wall
• 4/29– Celebration of Labor Film Series, 8:30 p.m., "Robots" (kid friendly), outdoor screening at the corner of N.W. 5th Ave. and N.W. 3rd St.
• 4/29– Celebration of Labor Film Series, 8:30 p.m., "Bread and Roses," outdoor screening at the corner of N.W. 5th Ave. and N.W. 3rd St.
• 5/1–Meet up for walk to May Day, 5 p.m.,13th and University Ave.
• 5/1–Downtown May Day Picnic, Rally, and Celebration, 6-10 p.m., Gainesville
Downtown Community Plaza
Downtown event co-sponsored by the Gainesville IWW, Alachua County Labor Party, North Florida Central Labor Council, Progressive Democrats of America and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Includes:
• Speakers from the North Florida Central Labor Council, the Labor Party,
, the Industrial Workers of the
World, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, Progressive
Democrats of Florida, Florida Radical Activist Network, Bridges Across
Borders, FloridaWORKS!, May Day Gainesville Organizing Committee and Students for a Democratic Society
• Music from Cara Del Gato (two guys on a mission), Lars Din Song Riot
(folky with some tenacious hope for the future), Gainesville Liberation
Orchestra (everybody loves this cacophony of folkness), and Scum of the
Earth (good ole Gainesville Hip Hop)
• Performances by Bishop Bishops' Cure for What Ails You and the May Day
Gainesville Radical Cheerleaders
• Kids face painting, capitalist pig piñata
And remember, folks, this is a picnic, so bring some dinner!
Hope to see you here!
The May Day Gainesville Organizing Committee
maydaygainesville@hotmail.com
352-219-5723