MAY DAY: WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, DC, May 1 — “1, 2, 3, 4, We declare class war, 5, 6, 7, 8, Smash the system, smash the state!”

Three hundred Occupiers and friends marched to the White House with red flags flying high to condemn the racist, capitalist system and politicians like Obama and Bush who foster imperialist war and the exploitation of the working class. Workers alongside the march saluted the May Day marchers with clenched fists of support and applause. 

With the bullhorn cranked up to the maximum and pointed (illegally) towards the White House, the May Day marchers rattled the windows of the White House with revolutionary chants. The Labor Committee of OccupyDC vigorously organized all sections of Occupy to join this march. It was a smashing success, overcoming the fragmentation of the movement and demonstrating that the struggle that began with Occupy Wall Street last fall continues stronger than ever.

Highlights included speeches by a Metro transit worker, calling on Occupiers and Metro workers alike to unify against the system, especially as fare hikes and attacks on workers both intensify on July 1; a United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union organizer calling for ever bolder attacks on capitalism; a moving poem in the tradition of Langston Hughes written by a college student; a series of dramatic readings of May Day speeches from historic figures; several labor songs from the Labor Chorus including the Internationale in four languages;  and a final rally featuring grassroots labor leaders from Bangladesh, Honduras, and the Philippines providing solidarity messages.

The PLP May Day march in New York and the Occupy May Day march in DC made many people realize the possibilities for revolution.  At a recent PLP club meeting, two marchers pledged to join the Party, and two others pledged to continue to march with the Party through next year.