Is
the day to salute pioneers, martyrs and the workers who have braved the trials
and tribulations and resolve to unitedly continue the long march towards the
total liberation of the working class from the chains that bind them (i.e.) the
exploitation.
On 1st May, 1886 the fourth convention of the Federation of organised Trade and
Labour Union of the United States adopted a resolution demanding that eight
hours only will constitute a day's legal labour.
On May 4th, 1887, a demonstration was held at Hay Market Square (Chicago-USA)
to protest against the brutal attack of the workers of MC, Cormack Reaper Works
on 3rd May 1887. The police fired and killed. Blood flowed freely on the
streets. The Red (Blood) flag was then hoisted as the flag of the working
class. August Spice Engels, Fischer and Persons the Workers' leaders were
trailed and sent to the gallows on 11th November 1887. August spice who mounted
the gallows declared:
"My defence is your accusation, the causes of my alleged crime your
history. I say If death is the penalty for proclaiming the truth, I will
profoundly and defiantly pay the cost price. Call your hangman."
The heroes who mounted the gallows also declared:
"The time will come when our silence will be more eloquent than our
speeches."
We have a lofty and great objective of eliminating, extinguishing and ending
exploitation in any form or manner.
In memory of these May Day Martyrs, all over the world, the working class
observe the day as the 'Workers Day'. The first May Day was celebrated in 1890
in many countries of the world.
May Day
--
The day of the working class of all claims and countries!
On this Day let us resolve and act-
--
To end all that endangers and erodes the weapons of the working class
--
To efface and exterminate from this earth every trace of exploitation of the
working class!
--
To react, resist, rebel, and revolt against all that imposes and defends
exploitation!
DEFEAT
AND DESTROY EVIL
DEATH
TO THE EXPLOITATION.
DESTINY
WE WILL DETERMINE.
DOOMS
DAY SOON FOR ENEMIES.
OBSERVE
1ST MAY AS MAY DAY BY ORGANISING GATE MEETINGS, RALLIES ETC. AT ALL WORK SPOTS
An
historian has recorded that workers of the 1880s "smoked 'Eight Hour
Tabacco', Purchased 'Eight hour shoes', and song the 'Eight Hour Song':
"We mean to make things over;
We tried to tool for naught.
But bare enough to live on;
Never an hour for though.
We want to feel the sunshine;
We want to small the flowers;
We're sure that God has willed it;
And we mean to have eight hours.
We' are summoning our forces from
Ship yard, shop and mill
Eight hours for work, eight hours for
rest,
Eight hours for what we will."