Today is May Day, a “national day of multi-ethnic unity with youth, labor, and peace and justice communities in solidarity with immigrant workers to build a new immigrant rights and civil rights movement” (Source: mayday2007.org).

I love that May Day, which has its roots in labor organizing, has expanded to include a broad social justice agenda. This is exactly the kind of movement-building that we need today, when progressives so often fight tooth and nail for their one cause (environment, gay rights, ending the war, etc.) rather than recognizing the interconnectedness of all these issues.

I went to a discussion on March 20th at the Brecht Forum called “Steppin’ It Up: Confronting Challenges Faced by the Anti-War Movement.” Moderated by an editor at Left Turn Magazine, the panel was composed of anti-war activists and addressed the questions of whether there is an “anti-war movement” and whether or not it is being effective.

It was refreshing to hear activist leaders speak so candidly about their challenges and concerns. One of the themes that emerged was this issue of fractioning within the left and the importance of connecting the war to other struggles for justice (women’s rights, immigrants rights, healthcare, etc.). One of the panelists (I’m sorry, he wasn’t originally scheduled to speak so I can’t find his name online anywhere!) spoke eloquently about the idea that we shouldn’t even be focusing on the anti-war movement or any issue-specific campaign. Rather, we should be working together, cross-agenda, to envision a radically different society in which another war like the Iraq war could not and will not ensue, a society in which all people (animals included) are empowered and self-actualized—a just world.

I think this really sums up our challenge as activists today. Rather than reacting to all of our problems, we ought to spend more time imagining an alternative and trying to make it a reality. As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Well this May Day hopefully you will spend some time imagining and being the change you wish to see. And if you can’t take to the streets today, you can at least watch a movie about others who have. I’ll be there:

May Day Post March Open House and Film: ¡Gigante: Despierta!

Screening of ¡Gigante: Despierta! (Giant: Awake!)
Tuesday, May 1, 8pm
AJ Muste Institute
339 Lafayette Street 3rd Floor
NYC, New York 10012

HOSTED BY: Socialist Party NYC and Neoyorquinos Socialistas

FREE!

For more details or to RSVP, please visit:
http://giant.bravenewtheaters.com/screening/show/9306

About ¡Gigante: Despierta!:

In 2006, a historic mobilization for immigrant rights swept the USA as millions took the streets. Mainstream news media predictably covered the marches with a mix of surprise, ignorance and racism, yet grassroots media activists were there to document the voices and the stories behind this mass movement. ¡Gigante Despierta! is a DVD compilation of compelling short films from all around the country, due to hit the streets in the weeks before Mayday 2007. It is a collective memory and a tool to inspire action this MayDay 2007, when the Giant will raise its voice again to say: we are one people, without borders. We are here, and we are here to stay!