by Paula Panzarella
Dozens of organizations came together for the 24th annual May Day celebration on the New Haven Green. It was the perfect day for labor, peace and environmental groups to reach out to the New Haven community and to network with each other for International Workers’ Day.
One of the most engaging activities was the billboard painting project from We Refuse to be Enemies and IWagePeace.org. The billboard will soon be overlooking I-95. It’s wonderful that the celebration on this international day of labor solidarity could have a part in the creation of the billboard.
The One World House, built by volunteers from New Haven/León Sister City Project, depicted the housing conditions for people in many underdeveloped countries, including Nicaragua. There was a “Free Swap” area from the Elm City Infoshop and information tables and exhibits from New Haven Green Party, Socialist Party CT, WILPF, UNA/UNIFEM, ISO, Food Not Bombs, Greater New Haven Labor History Association, New Haven Bioregional Group/ Transition, ANSWER CT, Chainbreakers, and CT Network to Abolish the Death Penalty. Joe Taylor had a display of his May Day books and historical information, and there was a DonnellyColt tent with bumperstickers, pins and t-shirts.
Activities for kids included a surprise visit from magician Amazing Andy, and someone brought many hula hoops for a spontaneous “contest.”
In addition to the various organizations’ participation, there were speakers and performers throughout the day on the stage. The website will soon be updated with photos and video: http://www.maydaynewhaven.org.
Some May Day t-shirts are still available for a donation. Please call (203) 562-2798 to get a shirt.
This year’s event was organized by many people who joined the May Day Celebration Committee a few months ago. We hope people follow their lead and that more people jump in to pull together something spectacular, as next year is the 25th year of the May Day on the Green.
To stay in touch with the May Day Celebration Committee to network throughout the year and share ideas, please call Jeff Spalter at (203) 843-3069.
