May Day Atlanta is a local initiative to build a social and political fabric in our city, focusing on resistance to capitalism and the state—and also on having a good time and creating lasting relationships in our communities. On May Day (May 1st), we organize actions oriented to revolutionaries of all stripes. For the remainder of the year, we help organize actions and social events as points of
entry for new people and as regular gathering places for local organizers to have fun. May Day (always held on May 1st) has long been a traditional spring festival day, but it is also International Workers’ Day. As such, May Day commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, when, during mass strikes and demonstrations for the eight-hour workday, police opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators after an unknown person threw a bomb at police. Along with many thousands workers all over the country, the crowd was striking for the eight-hour workday. After the bombing and massacre, eight anarchists who were active in the strike were convicted of conspiracy in the bomb plot, although no evidence was ever presented; seven of those convicted were executed, while the eighth was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In the aftermath of the massacre and trial, the government took the opportunity to spread anti-communist and anti-anarchist sentiment across the country. Meanwhile, the May Day strikers got what they were fighting for: the eight-hour workday.
2011 was an incredible year for people’s struggles across the world. From the Arab Spring to Occupy, the fires of discontent have spread far and wide, without any indication that resistance to global capitalism will wane as it has in the past. This year in Atlanta, we held a fantastic, fun-filled festival in Coan Park (in Kirkwood), which included live music from I Want Whiskey, workshops, free barbecue and vegan food, Red vs. Black soccer, a magician to entertain the kids, and lots more. About 400 local residents and organizers attended, making this year a great success. We hope to make next year even better and bigger. If you would like to get involved or get on our mailing list, please email [email protected] and let us know what you're thinking!
