Peter Boyle
In London's famous Hyde Park, on May 4, 1890, Eleanor Marx (daughter of Karl) addressed the first ever May Day rally in England.
"I am speaking this afternoon not only as a trade unionist, but as a socialist. Socialists believe that the eight-hour day is the first and most immediate step to be taken, and we aim at a time when there will no longer be one class supporting two others, but the unemployed both at the top and at the bottom of society will be got rid of.
"This is not the end but only the beginning of the struggle; it is not enough to come here to demonstrate in favour of an eight-hour day. We must not be like some Christians who sin for six days and go to church on the seventh, but we must speak for the cause daily, and make the men, and especially the women that we meet, come into the ranks to help us.
"Rise like lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many - they are few."
On May Day 2006 in the United States, immigrant workers, 21st century capitalism's great army of super-exploited labour, will be striking. In France and Indonesia, workers will be celebrating the fact that they have rolled back cruel new laws to slash the rights of workers.
In Nepal, workers will be celebrating the defeat of the bloody tyranny of King Gyanendra. In Pakistan, 1.8 million brick kiln workers will celebrate a victory over bonded labour - won through a week-long national strike.
In New Zealand, super-exploited young workers have their victory for better pay against a global fast-food chain to celebrate.
People's power has made a good showing around the world of late. Progressive changes have been fought for and won in the streets. But as Eleanor Marx said of the eight-hour-day fight, this can only be the beginning, not the end, of our struggle.
This May Day in Venezuela and Cuba, millions of ordinary folk will turn out to celebrate the new revolutionary wave that is sweeping Latin America and capturing the attention of oppressed and exploited people around the world. 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly will have reporters on the spot to give you first-hand accounts.
You can help 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly live up to Eleanor Marx's May Day call by making a once-off or regular donation to our fighting fund! Just give us a call on 1800 634 206 (toll-free within Australia), write to PO Box 394, Broadway 2007, or donate online at Last week we raised $4388. This brings us to 21.3% of the year's total target of $250,000. Thank you to all who contributed.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, May 3, 2006.
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