Today is May Day.
May 1st 1886 was declared the day the 8 hour work day would become official. This was declared by the working class through their unions and trade organizations. This was opposed by the bosses. To demand the 8 hour day, there was a general strike called that started on May 1st. The strike went on for three days. On May 4th, there was a gathering of laborers and Anarchists to protest the killing of two workers the day before. As the gathering ran into the evening, the police moved in. Someone threw a bomb and the police opened fire killing several workers and injuring another 70+. From eyewitness accounts, the police fired upon the crowd. The crowd did not fire back and was quickly dispersed.
Of course, the Anarchists were accused of throwing the bomb. The police raided their headquarters and eventually arrested several “agitators.” The evidence was weak and they were later pardoned, but they were all found guilty and sentenced to death. Two sentences were commuted, one chose to determine his own fate and bit into a blasting cap and four were executed by the state. This included Albert Parsons, husband to Lucy Parsons, who had spoke at the gathering but had retired to another meeting and was not present when the bomb was thrown.
The U.S. and Canada celebrate Labor Day in September. This is partly to discount the Haymarket Massacre, but also to ensure that there is no commemoration of said event and the efforts of the working class to improve their conditions through direct actions such as general strikes.
If you appreciate the fact that we enjoy an 8 hour work day or a 40 hour work week, you should know how and why it exists. It was not handed down by “benevolent bosses” as a way to make the workers’ lives better. No, it was fought for and won through countless years, strikes, direct actions and the lives of many.
Happy May Day!
P. L. and R.
