The Guardian, “We need May Day more than ever. Unite to dream and fight for a better tomorrow”
Between Trump’s war on organized labor, the rise of digital labor unions, the powerful feminist response and pushback to his administration, the fight for trans rights that is now headed to the supreme court, and the increasing visibility of anarchism and anti-fascism, May Day 2017 very well may be the explosive catalyst for a number […]
King 5 (Seattle), “Q&A: What is May Day?”
On May 4, 1886, demonstrators, led by anarchists, called a mass meeting at Haymarket Square in Chicago to protest what was seen as police brutality. “These were immigrants. They were socialists. Some were anarchists. Some were bystanders. Many were just outraged at the recent killings, and then someone threw a bomb.” Linebaugh said. “To this day, no one is […]
KATU 2 (Portland), “#MayDayPDX march permit pulled; more than two dozen arrested during downtown riots”
The organizers of the rally had a permit with the city for a march throughout downtown starting at 3 p.m. It began peacefully, but after only about 15 minutes of the march, an anarchist group appeared to take over, tossing cans of Pepsi at police and medics. No one was injured. Continue Reading
Jefferson Public Radio (Oregon), “From Immigration To Anarchism, Oregon May Day Rallies Spotlight Multiple Causes”
Organizations across the country are planning rallies Monday to mark May Day. In Oregon, there are events supporting everything from school workers to anarchism. Continue Reading
The Seattle Times, “Remember when May Day was, ahem, fun? Readers share stories of bygone times”
It was in 2012 that the self-named anarchists and anti-capitalists began hijacking May Day in Seattle. The labor and immigration groups who hold marches in the daytime correctly describe their protests are peaceful. But then there is perception: images of anarchists holding incendiary signs, such as “Put wings on pigs” referring to killing police; images […]
The Seattle Times, “Feds charge man suspected of tossing Molotov cocktails during May Day 2016 protests”
Wil Casey Floyd was arrested at his mother’s home Friday morning in Wisconsin, Seattle police Chief Kathleen O’Toole said. Investigators say Floyd was inspired by anarchists in Greece and South America, who frequently use Molotov cocktails in protests. Continue Reading
Bedford & Bowery, “What to Expect On May Day: Marches, Patti Smith, and the ‘Adventurous, Angry, and Arrest-able’”
The Metropolitan Anarchist Coordinating Council (MACC) is organizing an anti-fascist marching bloc and a daytime demonstration planned for “the adventurous, the angry, and the arrest-able.” They will be meeting at the Northwest corner of Union Square at 3:30pm before marching to Foley Square. Continue Reading
The Stranger, “Who Said It: May Day Anarchist or Stephen Bannon?”
“We call ourselves the ‘Fight Club’… You don’t come to us for warm and fuzzy. We think of ourselves as virulently antiestablishment, particularly ‘anti-‘ the permanent political class.” “There’s a new political order that’s being formed out of this. And it’s still being formed… We have wide and sometimes divergent opinions. But we agree on […]
Boulder Weekly, “May Day is still relevant”
A huge national witch hunt against labor and the left ensued. Police raided labor union halls without warrants, seized files and invaded homes. Individuals were held without charges, beaten and tortured. Police indiscriminately rounded up anarchists and socialists. The color red, the symbol of revolution, was banished from public advertising. Continue Reading
The Stranger, “The Morning News: 4/20!!!”
Seattle Police Are Gearing Up for May Day: The police spent yesterday training in a Port of Seattle warehouse for a handful of anarchists who predictably break some windows, and maybe a TV news van, every May 1. Seattle police say they’re willing to use pepper spray and blast balls on protesters if free speech […]