May Day Coalition

2012-01-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

MAY DAY ORGANIZING MEETING
February 7th, 6pm
1131 SE Oaks St (Voz Office)

The first official May Day Coalition Meeting of the season! The May Day Coalition has been planning rallies and marches since 2006 (and many individuals since 2001) around immigrants and workers' rights. With the help of Occupy and new energy to our forces, this will be the biggest May Day action yet. Between now and February 7th, we're hoping to do some advance outreach and get unions, community groups, and passionate individuals involved from the very first meeting. See the list of past endorsers on this blog? Let's get those voices represented in creating May Day. Let's get endorsements early this year and move on to new groups and communities we have not been able to reach.

This year there will be many autonomous groups doing many wonderful things. If your group is planning an action on May Day, please keep us in the loop so we can coordinate by emailing maydayoutreach@gmail.com and send a representative to our organizing meetings.

2011-11-14T06:48:00.001-08:00

Quick Reportback: & Next Steps for the Labor Outreach Committee

1) What is the Labor Outreach Committee?
30+ individuals and many more supporters actively meeting and organizing for Occupy Portland and community labor events! We do outreach to unions and other labor-oriented groups for supplies, volunteers, and in search of solidarity struggles for Occupy!

2) What happened over the Weekend, 11/12 & 11/13?
The mainstream media reports that the camp has been cleared. True. But only after 38 days of camping and 48 hours of resistance, dozens of arrested, many more actions planned, and a clear sense of community and solidarity among thousands of Portlanders and millions around the world who hear the call of the 99%!

We'd like to make it clear: Occupy will continue. We are currently regrouping and gearing up for a big week of actions. November 16th is a day of student walkout at Portland State University. November 17th will see a large turnout against the planned city budget cuts and the loss of important union jobs and social services as and decentralized struggles around the banks...NATIONWIDE!

3) Plans are already in the works for an Immigrants Rights March in December, and many other important struggles. Join a committee and get to assembling...www.occupyportland.org

We are on the way towards the biggest May Day yet!

2011-10-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Occupy Portland Stands in Solidarity with LaborThe statement below was distributed at the Labor Solidarity March, October 26th, 2011As occupiers at Occupy Portland, we stand in solidarity with organized and unorganized working people, the underemployed and unemployed masses of Oregon. We object to corporate greed and the systematic destruction of workers rights and living wage jobs; and we call for substantive economic and political changes that empower and represent the people!On October 6th, Occupy Portland kicked off with dozens of local labor unions and thousands of other workers in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. We are the 99% and we demand economic and political systems that work for the 99%! It is objectionable that corporations dominate power, wreck havoc on the lives of ordinary people and desecrate our natural environment.Together, we insist on living wage jobs, fair labor practices and workers rights across all sectors of production. We insist on economic justice and support for our unemployed, underemployed and unemployable brothers and sisters.The occupiers of Occupy Portland greatly appreciate the support of organized labor and the people of Portland. You have contributed immensely to the support and operation of the occupied camp, including everything from portable toilets and sanitation, to food and coffee, to shelter from the rain and cold; and many more direct, in-kind and anonymous donations.You have been loud and outspoken in your support of the occupation and for the national Occupy Movement. As occupiers at Occupy Portland, we understand that we represent only a small fraction of people who are giving visibility to this call for change. And like you, we will not call for an end to Occupy Portland until we see substantive economic and political change in Oregon and the U.S.Please continue to give your support to the Occupy Portland occupation in whatever way you can. Many resources are needed to support the occupy camp. Passionate people are needed to join working groups and committees. Supporters are needed to give visibility to the movement by their presence in and around the camp.You can find a list of these needs on needs page the OccupyPDX.org website. You are invited to contact the Media-Press Committee at Press@OccupyPDX.org for ways to connect messaging to a wider audience; and you are also invited to join with the local-national Outreach Committee at Outreach@OccupyPDX.org to link up occupation work with broader communities.To help with outreach specifically to labor groups (including immigrants rights and unemployed), email: maydayoutreach@gmail.com.

Oregon Joins the National Day of Action Against SB 1070 in Arizona!

2010-05-19T15:27:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, MAY 29th

Stop SB 1070 in Arizona!
Two events in Oregon-
Join us for both!

Salem March & Rally,
Capitol Building, 11am

Portland, March @ Vigil
Terry Schrunk
(SW 3rd & Madison)
5pm

For more information:
Salem: (503) 984-6816, http://www.causaoregon.org
Portland: (503) 233-6787, email maydayoutreach@gmail.com

For those who can't make it to Arizona, Oregon's many immigrant, labor, faith, and grassroots organization have called for all supporters of human rights to converge in Portland and Salem on the 29th. Portland events are coordinated by the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition and the May Day Coalition.

Invite your friends on Facebook

Arizona's SB1070 affects everyone. It legalizes racial profiling and puts the blame for this economic crisis on the wrong people. Several states are already considering similar legislation, and in Oregon, we face gradual steps in this direction. Read more about what is going on locally from the Safe Communities Project.

May Day March and Rally a Huge Success!

2010-05-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all of the groups and individuals who made today's march and rally a success. Over 5,000 people attended to celebrate the history of May Day and stand up for workers' rights. We will be posting pictures and video links as they become available.

We have received plenty of news coverage:

http://www.kgw.com/video/featured-videos/Portlands-May-Day-March-92605624.html
http://www.kptv.com/news/23325847/detail.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/liveblogging_2010_may_day_even.html

If you attended, let us know what you thought.

In the mean time, we have another year ahead of us and many ongoing campaigns. Check out the endorsers and sponsors list in the sidebar for more ways to get involved. Si se puede!

May Day Workers' March Stands up for Civil Rights from Portland to Arizona to Honduras.

2010-04-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

May Day March and Rally: Jobs for All! Immigrants' Rights Are Workers' Rights.
Saturday, May 1, International Workers' Day

SW Park and Salmon
11am: Entertainment and Sign-making
12pm: Rally
1pm: March

Portland,OR-- April 27, 2010 – With the recent passage of the racistanti-immigrant bill SB1070 in Arizona, which gives police the authorityto stop anyone who looks undocumented, Portland labor, immigrants'rights, and community groups will be gathering in solidarity withpeople all over the world facing economic crisis, discrimination, andpolice brutality.

Organizers aim to draw attention to alarming developments locally:Already programs aiming to use police as an arm of ICE (Immigration andCustoms Enforcement) are underway, starting in Clackamas andthreatening to spread across the metro region. Their role is largelyunregulated and unchallenged, resulting in programs that lacktransparency, accountability, and oversight.

From bean-bagging twelve-year-olds to off duty road rage tooutright murder, police violence has increased over the past fewmonths, aimed at the most oppressed groups, including African Americansand the homeless. Portlanders are demanding more citizen oversight andreal consequences for police officers responsible, most of whom have ahistory of violations.

This year's march comes in the middle of an economic crisis thathas hit Oregonians with more than 10% official unemployment, which doesnot include those forced to work part time or those who have droppedoff the unemployment rosters. Rather than scapegoating immigrants orthe working poor, labor and anti-sweatshop organizers are pinningresponsibility on the large corporations, like the financial industryand Nike. While speaking out against a minor tax increase, Nike wasrefusing to take responsibility for its subcontractor's failure to payseverance to 1700 laid off Honduran workers.

The Portland May Day Coalition is made up of grassroots communityorganizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals.

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Community Events April 23-29th

2010-04-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

May Day March and Rally
Jobs for All: Immigrants' Rights Are Workers' Rights

Saturday, May 1st, International Workers' Day
11am: Gather at SW Park Blocks (Park and Salmon) for sign-making, art, and entertainment.
12pm: Rally with music and speakers
1pm: March through downtown Portland

In keeping with our Solidarity Statement, here are several events over the next week organized by community groups.

***

Police Brutality and Community Organizing
Friday, April 23rd, 4-6pm
PSU Smith Student Building, Room 294
Apanel of amazing activists, including speakers from Rose City Copwatchand Albina Ministerial Alliance, organized by student groups at PSU andthe NW Student Coalition.

City Repair's Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 24th, 10am-7pm
Washington High School field, SE 12th and Stark
A day long festival of music and community groups coming together, themed, “Re-Seeing Our World.”

Workers' Rights Board Hearing on Nike's Labor Practices
Tuesday, April 27th, 7-9pm
PSU Multicultural Center, Room 228
TheWorkers' Rights Board, a project of Jobs with Justice, will heartestimony from workers from two factories in Honduras which closed in2009 after, USAS tells us, years of making clothing for Nike. Theworkers will show that they were entitled to severance pay underHonduran law, which they never received.

Solidarity Social: Remembering 10 years of May Day
Wednesday, April 28th, 7-9pm
PSU Multicultural Center, Room 228
Aparty hosted by the PSU Pan American Solidarity Organization. Join usfor a great evening of food, music, personal recollections, and aslideshow of May Day 2000. Donations accepted.

Sidewalks Are For Everyone! Parade and Rally
Thursday, April 29th, Noon.
Sisters of the Road Cafe, Corner of NW 6th & Davis
CityHall is voting on the Sidewalk Management Ordinance, which will dividethe sidewalk into acceptable “zones,” relegating the poorest people tosit and lie only on the curbside. Sisters of the Road will rally,sidewalk parade to City Hall, sign up for testimony and pack the Citycouncil chambers at 2pm.

Volunteer Opportunities & Fundraiser!

2010-04-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some great ways to help out this May Day! Please forward to your lists. Questions can be sent to:maydayoutreach@gmail.com, or call the VOZ office: (503) 233-6787

Security Trainings

Wednesday April 21st at VOZ 1131 SE Oak St.
6:30pm-8:00pm

Saturday April 24th at 2807 SE Stark
12:00 noon –1:30pm

Massive Flyering Party

Saturday April 24th at VOZ 1131 SE Oak St.
Pickup flyers between 1pm and 2pm.

Solidarity Social: Remembering 10 Years of May Day in Portland

Wednesday April 28th at PSU Smith Bldg Multicultural Center
7:00pm-9:00pm

Food, music, memories and networking. PASO (Pan American Solidarity Organization) is hosting this evening of celebration. Bring cash, tell your friends! Flyers will be available soon.

May Day 2010 Press Release

2010-04-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

Annual Immigrants' Rights March Emphasizes Jobs for All, Police Accountability

On May 1^st, International Workers' Day, Portland labor, immigrant, and community groups will come together to demand comprehensive immigration reform. Organizers aim to connect the many issues facing workers and the poor.

Portland, OR-- April 15, 2010 – To celebrate International Workers' Day, thousands will gather on Saturday, May 1^st at the South Park Blocks (SW Park and Salmon) at 11am. After two hours of entertainment and speakers, the march will kick off at 1pm.

Jobs For All: This year's march comes in the middle of an economic crisis that has hit Oregonians with more than 10% official unemployment. Real unemployment is much higher, considering the number of people working part time and those who have given up searching. Combined with a shrinking state budget, social services such as housing, public transit, and education are facing stiff cuts just as these services are needed most.

Immigrants' Rights Are Workers' Rights: In 2006 forty thousand people in Portland marched in opposition to the virulently anti-immigrant Sensenbrenner bill (HR 4437). Immigrants' rights advocates continue to demand an end to ICE raids and detentions. They are calling for an end to the expansion of 287(g), which has led to rampant racial profiling and human rights abuses by using local police forces as immigration agents, most notably in the case of Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona.

Police Accountability: While an increasing amount of law enforcement resources is devoted to immigration control, Portland and surrounding communities have seen a rise in incidents of officer-involved shootings and police brutality. Recent abuses have been against the most oppressed populations: African Americans, Latinos, and the homeless. The march and rally will highlight our common interest in preventing further violence.

International Workers' Day began in the United States in the 1880s around the fight for an eight-hour work day. Since then it has spread around the world and continues to serve as a time for celebration and inspiration to millions. This is the tenth year of the Portland march since its rejuvenation in 2000.

The Portland May Day Coalition is made up of grassroots community organizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals. It formed in conjunction with the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) and Jobs with Justice (JwJ).

###

Media Contacts:

Chris Ferlazzo, Jobs with Justice: chris@jwjpdx.org

Marco Mejia, Oregon New Sanctuary Movement: mejiayep@yahoo.com

Sami Alloy, student organizer (PSU): samantha.alloy@gmail.com

Andrea Townsend, Portland Alliance: townsan@gmail.com

To volunteer, endorse, or donate, email: maydayoutreach@gmail.com

May Day is on the way....

2010-04-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, MAY 1st
May Day March and Rally
Immigrants' Rights Are Workers' Rights!

11am: Gather at the SW Park Blocks
(SW Park and Salmon)

12pm: Rally

1pm: March

Email maydayoutreach@gmail.com to endorse, co-sponsor, or volunteer.

MAY DAY STATEMENT

2010-03-31T18:15:00.000-07:00

International Workers' Day began in the 1880s in the United States with the fight for an eight-hour work day. Today we commemorate the struggle of working people and the poor around the world for economic justice. We stand together against racism, police violence, and attacks on immigrants through ICE raids and detentions. No one is illegal. We aim to stop discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Through solidarity we will reform our immigration, criminal justice, and economic systems to meet human needs. We demand an increase in public spending, not more cuts to education, public transportation, and social services. We demand decent affordable housing, not foreclosures and evictions. We demand single payer health care for all. We demand living wage jobs, full employment, and the restoration of our right to organize workplaces. We can achieve these goals by taxing the rich and corporations instead of bailing them out. We can stop free trade agreements that have outsourced jobs and kept wages low here while creating sweatshops and destroying resources elsewhere. We can end the wars and occupations as well as environmental catastrophes that serve to keep the corporations rich and the people in poverty. Solidarity Forever. Si se puede.

May Day Appeal for Solidarity!

2010-03-22T13:33:00.000-07:00

Portland May Day Coalition
1131 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214
(503) 233-6787

Dear Coalition Members and Supporters,

Spring is upon us, which means May 1st, International Worker's Day, is fast approaching. In celebration and continuation of the historical struggle for workers' and immigrant rights, we take this opportunity to renew solidarity among our organizations towards our common goal of economic and social justice. This is the tenth anniversary of our May Day celebrations.

Today is a critical moment in the struggle for immigrant and workers' rights. Today – more than ever – we need your help.

Corporate interests have used the economic crisis as an excuse to cut social programs, attack unions, and turn a blind eye to the rising hunger and unemployment that have hit our communities. May Day is an opportunity for grassroots community organizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals to join forces in raising awareness about these problems and celebrating our many efforts towards a better society.

But we need your help to make this march happen. Our coalition relies solely on the official endorsement and financial support of our member organizations and allies. We are asking all organizations for a donation of $200 in order to cover the costs of this march: printing flyers, running ads on the radios and television, obtaining march permits, sound system, door-to-door campaigns, etc. Anything that you can give is much appreciated. Your contribution at this crucial stage will make a real difference!

Please make checks payable to: VOZ(with “May Day March” in the memo section) and mail to 1131 SE Oak St. Portland, OR 97214.

In addition, we can always use more hands and minds in the organizing effort. We meet weekly on Tuesdays at 6:30pm at the Voz office in SE Portland and have several working groups such as Outreach and Media that would be thankful for your expertise.

Thank you for your support and solidarity,
Portland May Day Coalition

For more information
Email: maydayoutreach@googlegroups.com
Or contact the VOZ Workers' Rights Education Project
romeo@portlandvoz.org, www.portlandvoz.org

The Portland May Day Coalition is made up of grassroots community organizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals. We formed in conjunction with the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) and Jobs with Justice (JwJ) in order to organize our communities in solidarity against the grave injustices we’ve experienced this year as a city and nation - particularly in regards to workers’ rights. The PIRC formed in 2006 in order to organize against the Sensenbrenner bill (HR 4437) - one of the most anti-immigrant proposals in the history of the United States – and succeeded in rallying a historic 40,000 participants in that year’s May Day march. The Coalition has since worked to protect the rights of immigrants through ongoing campaigns that focus on implementing a citywide raid response program, engaging faith communities in providing sanctuary to immigrants facing deportation, and educating the broader community on virulent policies unfairly targeting immigrants. Established nationally in 1987, JwJ works locally to protect the rights of working people to organize and to support community struggles in order to build a more just society.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is a celebration of the economic and social achievements of working people. Since 2001, Portland’s labor communities have revived the tradition locally and, together in 2006, witnessed tens of thousands of immigrants and activists taking to the streets in solidarity to demand fair treatment and equality.

May Day Videos and Photos

2009-05-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came together on May Day to support worker and immigrants rights and call for a just economy. A lot happened during a very full day of entertainment, speakers and marching. It was a spirited and powerful statement of our shared struggles and collective demands for peace and justice. See below for videos and photos of the march. If you have photos or video that you would like to share please send to maydaymediapdx@gmail.com and maydayoutreach@gmail.com so we can share it with the world.

Thanks again for your support! Solidarity forever!

May Day Marchers Fire Key Bank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp4RB45EBBA

Speakers at Portland May Day 2009
http://vimeo.com/4524666

Adriane DeJerk sings at May Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5oo4HdD6Ok

May Day Demands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzUbppCyPCQ&feature=related

Street Theater Performance at May Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhQl3_RiAnY&feature=related

Dan Shea's May Day Photostream on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shea_pdx/show/

Check out our video on YouTube

2009-04-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

Our video spot is now airing on Unavision in English and Spanish.
Check out our YouTube video here:

www.youtube.com/PIRCpdx

Details, details...

2009-04-07T09:58:00.001-07:00

May 1st belongs to the people!
International Workers' Rights Day is our day! A day to celebrate victories, mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.

This year we will be together in the streets of downtown Portland to demonstrate for our rights and to demand a just economy that works for all of us.

May Day 2009
March and Rally for Immigrant and Workers' Rights!
Economic Justice for All

May 1st, 2009
South Park Blocks
Downtown Portland

1pm - Posters and Party
4pm - Rally with speakers and entertainment
5pm - March

Things to bring:
Yourself, your friends and family, your organization or union, posters, puppets, music, banners, information and inspiration

For more information email MayDayOutreach@gmail.com
or call 503-236-5573.

Organizing meetings are Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Voz, 1131 SE Oak (in the St. Francis office)

To download a PDF of the May Day flyer in English click here.
To download a handbill click here.

Flyers in Spanish will be posted soon.

Our Demands

2009-04-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

On May 1st, International Workers' Rights Day, we will raise our collective voices to call for an economy that works for all of us. These are our demands:

Stop the ICE raids and end the detentions!

Comprehensive Immigration Reform Now!

No more bailouts for the banks and corporations!

Tax the corporations, banks and wealthy!

Stop cuts to education, social services, and Tri-met !

Sustainable jobs for all!

Quality Health Care for all!

Housing is a human right: Stop foreclosures and evictions!

Protect workers' right to organize: Employee Free Choice Act now!

Money for human needs, not war!

May Day Support Request

2009-03-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Portland May Day Coalition

6025 E Burnside Portland, OR 97215

(503) 236-5573

Dear Coalition Members and Supporters,

Today is a critical moment in the struggle for immigrant and workers’ rights. Today - more than ever - we need your help.

The Portland May Day Coalition is made up of grassroots community organizations, labor unions, faith communities, and individuals. We formed earlier this year in conjunction with the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PIRC) and Jobs with Justice (JwJ) in order to organize our communities in solidarity against the grave injustices we’ve experienced this year as a city and nation - particularly in regards to workers’ rights. The PIRC formed in 2006 in order to organize against the Sensenbrenner bill (HR 4437) - one of the most anti-immigrant proposals in the history of the United States – and succeeded in rallying a historic 40,000 participants in that year’s May Day march. The Coalition has since worked to protect the rights of immigrants through ongoing campaigns that focus on implementing a citywide raid response program, engaging faith communities in providing sanctuary to immigrants facing deportation, and educating the broader community on virulent policies unfairly targeting immigrants. Established nationally in 1987, JwJ works locally to protect the rights of working people to organize and to support community struggles in order to build a more just society.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is a celebration of the economic and social achievements of working people. Since 2001, Portland’s labor communities have revived the tradition locally and, together in 2006, witnessed tens of thousands of immigrants and activists taking to the streets in solidarity to demand fair treatment and equality. This year, the Portland May Day Coalition hopes to take advantage of the historic significance of this celebratory day, and build upon the energy, momentum and collective memory of past mobilizations to raise awareness and express public outrage at the most current attacks on our nation’s immigrant and working communities. Our efforts this year are aimed at mobilizing affected communities to participate in a day of joyous demonstrations giving voice to a symbolic, pre-emptive celebration of achieving our specific and overarching political demands.

Over the next month the May Day coalition will be organizing a March and rally that will take on new significance and will stand as a day of solidarity in Portland. We recognize the impact that US economic and foreign policy have on workers at home and abroad. Joining forces with the various Peace and Labor organizations, such as ILWU and PDX Peace, mobilizations on May Day will bridge the work of all movements working to build a more equitable society for all people. This march comes at a crucial time, when lawmakers are making critical decisions about our communities’ future. We will stand in solidarity with brothers and sisters in other parts of the state and the nation to demand liberty and justice for all.

But we need your help to make this march happen. Our coalition relies solely on the financial support of our member organizations and allies. We are asking all organizations for a donation of $200 in order to cover the costs of this march: printing flyers, running ads on the radios and television, obtaining march permits, sound system, door-to-door campaigns, etc. Anything that you can give is much appreciated. Your contribution at this crucial stage will make a real difference! Please make checks out to Jobs With justice (with “May Day Coalition” in the memo section) and mail to: 6025 E Burnside Portland, OR 97215

Thank you for your support and solidarity,

Portland May Day Coalition

March and Rally for Immigrant and Workers' Rights! Economic Justice for All!

2009-03-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

We invite you to join with us to organize the May Day Rally and March.

As the Economic Crisis deepens, and immigrants and union workers--not greedy CEOs and bankers--are blamed, it's time for our movements to come together. May Day has a rich history going back more than a century as workers fought for the eight hour day. May 1st is now celebrated around the world as International Workers' Day, and has been celebrated for years in Portland. In 2000, a May Day march that brought together four campaigns (low-income housing, immigrants' rights, environmental justice and workers' rights) was violently broken up by the police. In following years, activists fought for the right to protest and won. In 2006, the May Day march focusing primarily on immigrants' rights was one of the largest marches Portland has ever seen, with estimates up to 40,000.

This year, we see an opportunity to make the connection between the economic crisis and the rights of workers and immigrants, and demand not just an economic recovery, but a whole new economy that works for all people. In the last election we raised our collective voices to call for real change, but the recent ICE raid in Bellingham shows that there is still much work to be done.

Organizing meetings are Tuesdays, 6:30pm at Voz, 1131 SE Oak St. from now until May 1st.

In solidarity,

The May Day Coalition