A
thousand people gathered in London on Thursday’s 2008 May Day to march through
the streets of the capital in celebration of International Workers’ Day.
History
The
celebration of May Day as a working class demonstration evolved from the
struggle for the eight-hour day in the 1880’s. The heart of the movement was in
Chicago, organised primarily by the revolutionary International Working Men’s
Association (the First International). Workers there had been agitating for an
8-hour day for months and, on the eve of May 1st, 50,000 were already on
strike. 30,000 more swelled their ranks the next day, bringing most of Chicago
manufacturing to a standstill.
On
May 3rd police fired into a crowd of strikers at a Factory in Haymarket,
killing four and wounding many. A bomb was thrown at the police in retaliation,
killing one officer. Workers were arrested, and 4 men were hanged. There was
little or no evidence of these men’s involvement with the bomb, and the rulings
of the court became known as a gross miscarriage of justice.
In
Paris in 1889 the founding congress of the Second International declared May
1st an international working class holiday in commemoration of the Haymarket
Martyrs and the red flag became the symbol of the blood of working class
martyrs in their battle for workers rights.
2008
May Day
The
2008 London May Day demonstration was flanked by a Latin American contingent.
Hands Off Venezuela, Colombia Solidarity, Bolivia Solidarity, and the Movement
of Ecuadorians in the UK held aloft banners and chanted slogans in support of
the revolutionary movements in Latin America.
After
Demo Meeting
In
light of recent and threatening developments in Bolivia, the campaigns decided
to organise a joint meeting after the demonstration. About 40 people attended
the event and listened to speakers from the different campaigns. Amancay Colque
from the Bolivia Solidarity Campaign explained about how the reactionary ruling
elite from the oil rich region of Santa Cruz is leading a secessionist movement
aimed at sabotaging the democratic process that has taken place since President
Morales was elected to power in 2005. The Santa Cruz oligarchy refuse to
recognise the new progressive Bolivian constitution which supports much needed
land reform, and also supports nationalisation of hydrocarbons, which would
bring the countries most profitable industry into public ownership. Amancay
reported that Santa Cruz citizens who express their opposition to this
seporatist movement are being repressed, especially the indigenous population
who support Morales.
Will
Roche from Hands Off Venezuela also expressed his concern over this attempt
divide Bolivia, which is a key ally to Venezuela. Will explained that Venezuela
too is under attack, both internally, from private business boycotting
production to create shortage and economic instability, and also externally,
from neighbouring Colombia, who recently
assassinated a FARC spokesperson in order to sabotage a hostage release
project initiated by Hugo Chavez. This is a clear attempt to destabilise the
region by the pro-US Colombian government.
Speakers
from Ecuador and Colombia also gave updates about the social movements, and the
importance of countering imperialist intervention.
Contributions
from the audience expressed great concern over the events in Bolivia, and felt
that more pressure should be put on President Morales to take decisive action
against the undemocratic and unconstitutional actions of the Santa Cruz
oligarchy. The general feeling from the discussion was that Morales was put
there by the revolutionary movement, and he should take firm action, in the
name of the people, against this counter-revolution.
The energy and enthusiasm of the meeting boldly
reflected the impact that Latin American revolutions are having on people here
in Britain, and upheld the tradition of International Workers’ Day,
demonstrating that the May Day spirit is very much alive and kicking.
