The Communist Party of the USA (CPUSA) greets working people in the United States and everywhere on May Day with our heartfelt wishes that unity in struggle may bring us a better world:
A world without war;
A world without exploitation;
A world in which the 99% rule, not the 1%;
A world without racism or sexism or discrimination by race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation or place of birth;
A world in which children are cherished and nurtured and seniors live in security and dignity;
A world in which the natural environment is protected and restored, and not devastated for private profit;
A world in which high-quality education, health care and housing are free for all as a right;
A world in which every nation and people can develop to its full potential, in cooperation and harmony with all others.
A world in which the best that human culture can create is available to everyone.
This is the world dreamed of by the Martyrs of Chicago, in whose honor May First was designated as International Workers Day. This is the socialist future they fought for, and we fight for today. It is a long struggle, with many setbacks and advances, but this May Day, the signs of a new beginning are seen all over our country.
The labor movement is back, speaking with a strong, progressive and independent voice in the fight for jobs, justice, and equality. The attack on workers rights and unions has woken a sleeping giant.
The Occupy Wall Street movement and its many offspring are challenging every abuse of the capitalist system. Anti-capitalist and socialist consciousness is on the rise.
The student, civil rights, women’s, immigrant rights, and other key social movements are also on the move.
This May, there will be a tremendous outpouring in Chicago, birthplace of May Day, in opposition to NATO and for moving the money wasted on military spending to human needs. The peace movement is challenging militarism and fighting to transform U.S. foreign policy.
In November, the ultra-reactionary Republican Party which has threatened to roll back all working-class gains of the past seventy years can be defeated by the united mass movements.
This May Day, marches, parades, protests, teach-ins and other events have been embraced by unions, central labor councils, immigrant rights groups, community groups, and countless individuals. It is a new era for an old holiday.
In spite of wars, economic crises and other disasters, for communists this is a joyous May Day.
In that spirit of joy and struggle, we send our greetings to all working people in the U.S. and all over the world.
PHOTO: “May Day Immigrant Rights March, Los Angeles, 2006”
Attribution 2.5 Generic license // Wikimedia Commons