Dockworkers Union to Shut Down Ports on May 1st!

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

Dockworkers Union to Shut Down Ports on May 1st!
NO PEACE, NO WORK!
BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

In recognition of this bold stand by the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU), Peace Action Coalition Tacoma (PACT) proposes a MAYDAY Solidarity Demonstration…

Thursday, May 1st
5-7 PM

PACT proposes a DEMONSTRATION for the rights of ALL workers, and against another dumb bosses’ war on Pacific Ave. over Interstate 5. The demonstration will be followed by a short march to the Federal Courthouse where a vigil will be held.

More details to follow.... Contact pactacoma@yahoo.com for more information.

(Tacoma-Olympia calendar and background below)

Tacoma-Olympia Mayday Calendar:

Noon Mayday Rally in Olympia—Sylvester Park (Legion & Capitol Way)
2 PM Olympia March
Sponsors—Evergreen MEChA, Olympia Movement for Peace & Justice, Olympia Students for a Democratic Society and more….

5 PM Tacoma Demonstration—Pacific Ave. I-5 overpass
6:30 PM March to Federal Courthouse
Sponsor—Peace Action Coalition Tacoma, and ….

7 PM Working Families, Not War program—1911 Pacific Ave. Washington State History Museum, Tacoma
8:30 PM Candle-light Vigil at Federal Courthouse, 1717 Pacific Ave. Sponsor—America in Solidarity

Background:
After some vigorous internal debate, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union has confirmed its decision to shut down the ports of the entire West Coast on May 1st, in support of workers’ rights and against the bloody and costly Iraq War. NO PEACE; NO WORK! BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

May1st became the international day of workers after a demonstration for the 8 hour was broken up in Chicago in 1886 with some of the workers being legally lynched. The “official” labor day in the U.S. has no particular historical importance and was established to undercut the movement to set May 1st as the real Labor Day. In 2006, Mayday was the occasion of massive demonstrations of immigrants demonstrating for the respect of their rights as workers and human beings against draconian legislation that was proposed. The longshore 2008 Mayday work stoppage is one of historic importance, and all who support the rights of all workers and an end to the Iraq War, should manifest this support on the streets come Thursday, May 1st.