May Day, or International Workers’ Day, traces its roots to the labor movement in the United States during the late 19th century. It commemorates the Haymarket Affair of 1886, when workers in Chicago went on strike demanding an eight-hour workday. After several days of peaceful protests, a bomb exploded during a rally in Haymarket Square, leading to police violence and the wrongful conviction and execution of several labor activists.
Despite its U.S. origins, May Day was adopted internationally by workers and socialist movements as a day of solidarity, protest, and celebration of working-class struggles. Ironically, while it became a major holiday in much of the world, the U.S. government distanced itself from May Day, establishing Labor Day in September instead.
The current fight against the most frontal attack on workers and unions since the 1930’s is raising the issue of a general strike against these attacks and the billionaires who have declared war on working people.
There were over 1,000 May Day protests throughout the United States on May Day. The growing hatred against the oligarchy and the fascist government is bringing hundreds of thousands of people into the struggle. Workers spoke out at both Oakland and San Francisco May Day events about why they were marching and rallying.
May Day 2025 Bay Area Voices On Labor, Fascism, AI, Union Busting, Immigrant Raids & Class Struggle
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Labor historian Toni Gilpin, author of the Long Deep Grudge, reminds us of the radical history behind May Day.
Reclaiming The Radical History of May Day
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Dr. Rupa Marya is a professor of medicine, whom the University of California in San Francisco has suspended for standing with the people of Palestine. She spoke at a May Day rally in San Francisco.
Black May Day Black Workers & Community At SF General Join Fight Against Union Busting & Racism
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The growing attacks on workers are taking place globally. In South Africa, the ANC government has introduced laws that would make it easy for bosses to fire workers without a hearing. South African Democratic Teachers Union leader Eugene Maluleki spoke to the union members out about why teachers needed to rally on May Day. He is also president of Education International.
In a May Day rally in Johannesburg, the Casual Workers Advice Center joined the South African Federation of Trade Unions. Here’s Ighsaan Schroeder, leader of the Casual Workers Advice Center, about issues facing the South African working class.
South African 2025 May Day & Ighsaan Schroeder Of Casual Workers Advice Office On Attacks On Labour
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Trump’s trade war and artificial intelligence are both threatening the working class. Host Steve Zeltzer spoke about both with ILWU official Aaron Wright at a May Day rally in Oakland, California.
ILWU 10 On International Workers Day, Members Speak Out In Oakland About Unions, AI & The Struggle
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Economist Richard Wolf recently spoke with author and journalist Chris Hedges about the economic chaos Trump has caused with his reckless tariffs.
Trump’s Tariffs are a HAIL MARY PASS! (w/ Richard Wolff)
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We thank all of Pacifica’s sister stations and affiliates who contribute to the production of this show. Today’s program was produced by the Capitalism, Race & Democracy collective, with contributions from Ann Garrison, Thomas O’Rourke, Polina Vasiliev, and the host, Steve Zeltzer.
You can find this and all previous episodes at our website “capitalism race and democracy dot ORG”. Make sure you click the subscribe button. Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @PacificaCRD. Thanks for listening.
Music:
Talking Union by Pete Seeger
Tom Morello, “Which side are you on”
Billy Bragg and Wilco, “All you Fascists”
Tracy Chapman, “Talkin Bout a Revolution!”
