May day material

by Andrew Tue Apr 29, 2003 12:51

At http://struggle.ws/about/mayday.html

Includes PDF leaflets and posters that you can print out and distribute

An anarchist celebration of May Day

In 1887 four Chicago anarchists were executed. A fifth cheated the hangman by killing himself in prison. Three more were to spend 6 years in prison until pardoned by Governor Altgeld who said the trial that convicted them was characterised by "hysteria, packed juries and a biased judge". The state had, in the words of the prosecution put "Anarchy .. on trial" and hoped their deaths would also be the death of the anarchist idea.

The anarchists were trade union organisers and May Day became an international workers day to remember their sacrifice. They were framed on false charges of throwing a bomb at police breaking up a demonstration in Chicago. This was part of a strike demanding an 8 hour day involving 400,000 workers in Chicago that started May 1st 1886 .

The anarchist idea did not die in Chicago in 1887. Today it inspires a new wave of struggle against global capitalism. Join in this struggle.

by Stalin's airbrush Tue Apr 29, 2003 13:04

"In the ensuing trial it was never established whether the bomb was thrown by an 'anarchist' or a police 'agent provocateur' but eight union leaders were put on trial with four of them subsequently executed."

The quoted 'anarchist' is put on the same level as 'agent provocateur'. The assumption from the text is that the "union leaders" of course had nothing to do with either. Rather than being trade union leaders (some were some weren't), what united the 8 was that they were all anarchists.

by Louis Lingg Tue Apr 29, 2003 13:24

You laugh! Perhaps you think, "You'll throw no more bombs;" but let me assure you that I die happy on the gallows, so confident am I that the hundreds and thousands to whom I have spoken will remember my words; and when you shall have hanged us, then, mark my words, they will do the bomb-throwing! In this hope do I say to you: "I despise you. I despise your order; your laws; your force-propped authority." HANG ME FOR IT!

by George Engel Tue Apr 29, 2003 13:28

The States Attorney said here that "Anarchy" was "on trail."

Anarchism and Socialism are as much alike, in my opinion, as one egg is to another. They differ only in their tactics. The Anarchists have abandoned the way of liberating humanity which Socialists would take to accomplish this. I say: Believe no more in the ballot, and use all other means at your command. Because we have done so we stand arraigned here today-because we have pointed out to the people the proper way. The Anarchists are being hunted and persecuted for this in every clime, but in the face of it all Anarchism is gaining more and more adherents, and if you cut off our opportunities of open agitation, then will the work be done secretly. If the State's Attorney thinks he can root out Socialism by hanging seven of our men and condemning the other to fifteen years servitude, he is laboring under a very wrong impression. The tactics simply will be changed-that is all. No power on earth can rob the workingman of his

by Samuel Fielden Tue Apr 29, 2003 13:37

If my life is to be taken for advocating the principles of Socialism and Anarchy, as I have understood them and honestly believe them to be in the interests of humanity, I say to you that I gladly give it up; and the PRICE IS VERY SMALL for the result that is gained.

by Albert Parsons Tue Apr 29, 2003 13:52

THERE ARE TWO DISTINCT PHASES OF SOCIALISM in the labor movement throughout the world to-day. One is known as Anarchism, without political government or authority, the other is known as State Socialism or paternalism, or governmental control of everything. The State Socialist seeks to ameliorate and emancipate the wage laborers BY MEANS OF LAW, BY LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS.
The State Socialists demand the right to choose their own rulers. Anarchists would have NEITHER RULERS NOR LAW-MAKERS of any kind. The Anarchists seek the same ends by the abrogation of law, by the abolition of all government, leaving the people free to unite or disunite.

by ahem. Tue Apr 29, 2003 14:19

We may for the sake of pragmatism enjoy the Socialism which is state based Bolivarian in nature which is presently offering South America a future brighter than they have hoped for since the 1970s and in Europe ahem, we may celebrate our @narkia.

This morning I was newspaperd by two communists "somos militantes" at the uni. where i try and teach an hour a week. "contra guerra, contra ETA!" ¿why? i asked, oh the engrained habits of an@rkistys to enter into the debate with the bolsheviks, ¡because it is Capital! yes very good, yawn, and ¿why does Aznar support Bush? ¿¡dunno!? it continued with out the central brain. ¿why do they let you sell newspapers without the central brain? ¡back in Stalingrad was the brain, sitting in a fishtank itching to answer the an@rkist. The tendrils twitched but communism as never done good hives.

The newspaper is sold at 1.35€ or nearest contribution (¡no 25centimos is not enough!) and is printed on fairly good quality paper has colour photos and a guide to "Mayday". Not a mayday I choose to celebrate but anyway.

Bealtaine.
last night I joined with my beloved and friends to paint "really big peace signs" on the street.
Oh the pantomime continues.... One brush, lashings of white paint and 16 litres of water, length of string, just like crop circles [I deny I deny it was never us!] Anyway Bertrand Russell gave us the CND peace sign, and it really is a geomoetric exercise. We left poorly drawn circles on C/ Valencia at the junctions of C/Enric Granadas and Valencia/Balmes. These signs will only last two days, I wondered why we were doing this. ¿why are doing this? asked I of the beloved. ¡ask him! ¿why are we doing this? ¡dunno!, ahem, "I've always wanted a peace sign outside my balcony". "oh, this is a domestic semiotic concern?".
Anyway, May day is what you make of it.
have a good day.
Celebrate your freedoms and liberties, remember that none of them were given lightly.
Remember your long long history, remember that much of it was rewritten and retold, and if you pass Go collect 100€.
try and give some of these to the postal Spanish voters.like one poster in the Language/culture/library.

http://www.nodo50.org/cyrano/

by John Doe Tue Apr 29, 2003 16:50

Unless I missed something, N Manko was an arachist, as were the Haymarket martyrs, both quoted on the site.
The intention was to bring material to broader attention, if that's not enough for the anoraks on this site, it'll not worry me.

by ipsiphi - lied no his CV. Tue Apr 29, 2003 17:42 ahem at ajem dot net

English Speakers! look @ this.
contrary to popular fringe opinion, Dublin isn't actually the worldwide focus of anarchist gatherings for this years Mayday.
You may have friends in NYC or Australia

check out these:

NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC
NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC
NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC

The Globalization we Want - Hardt and Casarini

General Information

Dates: May 3, 2003

Days of Week: Saturday

Target Audience: General Audience

Time: 7pm - 10pm

Location: Brecht Forum, NYC

Ticket Information

Price: Free
Event Details/Other Comments:
This event will focus on the intersection of the movements against capitalist globalization and the anti-war movements. Hardt and Casarini will use the current Italian situation as an example, discussing the forms of the movements in Italy during the Iraq war and after. They will also facilitate conversation regarding linkages between the movements and theoretical ideas about democracy and globalization. Given that alternative media is playing a central role in struggles for and experiments in democracy, Casarini and Hardt will present a new Italian magazine called Global that has emerged from the movements and is tied to an ambitious radio and television projects.
Luca Casarini is a prominent activist in the “Disobbedienti” (Disobedients) and formerly, in the “Tute Bianche” (White Overalls) movement that was active in the Genoa G8 protests in 2001.

Michael Hardt is co-author of Empire.
The Globalization we Want - Hardt and Casarini
Dates: May 3, 2003
Price: Free
Location: Brecht Forum, NYC, NYC

or

NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC
NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC
NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC NYC

for the tribal types.
Anarchist Tribes Discuss American Imperialism
Dates: April 30, 2003
Price: Free
Location: Muste Institute, New York

We've booked the Muste Room reserved for Wednesday, April 30, from 7pm to 9pm, for an Anarchist Tribes gathering to discuss the new American imperialism in the Middle East that's begun with the Iraq invasion, and what our response could/should be as anarchists. How we can most effectively oppose the war, how we can inject our critique of the state, of class, of militarism, racism, etc, into the debate so as to broaden the antiwar movement into an insurgency against this latest ratcheting-up of state power and terror and ultimately against the state itself.

Plenty to discuss, yes? Just to state the obvious, this isn't an "organizing" meeting. No "coalition" or campaign is supposed to come out of this: just a chance for us to discuss where we are now that the US has occupied Iraq (one general recently said this is the beginning of a 25-year campaign to remake the Middle East!) and talk about some of the things we are doing to stop it. And for folks to hook up with each other on various projects connected with opposition to the war.

We could use volunteers to facilitate the discussion. Anyone interested??

The Muste Room is at the War Resisters League Building, 339 Lafayette at Bleecker in Manhattan.
Anarchist Tribes Discuss American Imperialism
Dates: April 30, 2003
Price: Free
Location: Muste Institute, New York

We've booked the Muste Room reserved for Wednesday, April 30, from 7pm to 9pm, for an Anarchist Tribes gathering to discuss the new American imperialism in the Middle East that's begun with the Iraq invasion, and what our response could/should be as anarchists. How we can most effectively oppose the war, how we can inject our critique of the state, of class, of militarism, racism, etc, into the debate so as to broaden the antiwar movement into an insurgency against this latest ratcheting-up of state power and terror and ultimately against the state itself.

Plenty to discuss, yes? Just to state the obvious, this isn't an "organizing" meeting. No "coalition" or campaign is supposed to come out of this: just a chance for us to discuss where we are now that the US has occupied Iraq (one general recently said this is the beginning of a 25-year campaign to remake the Middle East!) and talk about some of the things we are doing to stop it. And for folks to hook up with each other on various projects connected with opposition to the war.

We could use volunteers to facilitate the discussion. Anyone interested??

The Muste Room is at the War Resisters League Building, 339 Lafayette at Bleecker in Manhattan.

or

OZ--------------------OZ-------------------OZ
OZ--------------------OZ-------------------OZ
OZ--------------------OZ-------------------OZ

I'm hoping everyone here as heard about the coming Australian National
Anarchist Conference in Brisbane 2-4 May, @ Visible Ink, 139 Constanace St,
Fortitude Valley.
There is an Information Booklet available about the conference in PDF. It
can be downloaded from http://www.nomasters.org/Members/anarcon/promos/book1
or try this link
http://www.nomasters.org/Members/anarcon/promos/book1/file_view?portal_status_message=Your+file+changes+have+been+saved.
Feel free to print out a couple of copies and give to your friends.

The main conference website can be found at http://ronny.imess.net/anarcon.
Hope to see lot's a people there! It's free entry and no registration required.

by Stalin's airbrush Tue Apr 29, 2003 18:46

And thanks, I do think that I look quite fetching in my anorak.

by Andrew Wed Apr 30, 2003 10:27

John Doe the airbrushing was not at marxist.org it was at the Socialist Party article who URL you posted as a 'History of Mayday'
http://www.geocities.com/socialistparty/mayday.htm

This article manages to suggest that the bombthrower might have been an anarchist (for which there is no actual evidence) but 'forgets' to mention that those on trial were anarchists. It just calls them 'trade union leaders', as already pointed out some were but some were not.

This is not the first time the Socialist Party has airbrushed the anarchists out of May Day - in fact I've never seen the SP mention the politics of those executed. A bit like commemorating Connolly as a nationalist martyr without mentioning his socialism. Imagine the SP reaction if the Shinners tried to pull that off!

by ipsiphi - @ around europe. Wed Apr 30, 2003 10:51

yesterday that pair of "militantes" communists were everywhere I went. creepy. Three metro stations they just followed me about. selling their newspaper.
If you are in ITALY!
or want to read italian look at this:
http://italy.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/273031.php

Now lets get it straight.
Anarchists were killed on May Day.
It is žourž day of remembrance.
and the 4th international just sell newspapers.
you'll get no fraternal greetings from me this Mayday.

by pat c Wed Apr 30, 2003 10:54

You wont find any of Trotskys embarassing articles supporting the Irish National Liberation struggle on the CWI sites.

"The revolutionary tradition of the national struggle is a precious good."

Leon Trotsky, 6 June 1936.

(From his letter to Nora Connolly O'Brien, even after the Belfast outdoor relief riots Trotsky reaffirmed his support for republicanism and saw no change in the counter-revolutionary nature of the loyalist working class. Does this make Trotsky sectarian?)

"The British Socialist who fails to support by all positive means the uprising in Ireland, Egypt and India against the London plutocracy - such a Socialist deserves to be branded with infamy if not with a bullet, but in no case merits either a mandate or the confidence of the proletariat."

Leon Trotsky 7 August 1920.

(Gee! Nothing about Workers In Uniform.)

by Andrew Wed Apr 30, 2003 11:09

On my computer at least they cause the web window to extend so that the string can be fitted into a single line. This makes the entire post have to read as you have to scroll across to read each sentence. BTW the same thing happens with very long URL's.

by Ray - an IMC editor Wed Apr 30, 2003 11:27

(the hidden 'A' had been lost anyway and, as noted, it was messing with the window sizes)