You know it's going to be a good protest when
people make their own t-shirts for the occasion...
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But Mayday in Miami would see a lot more creativity
than a couple of homemade boycott t-shirts (which,
again, were nice, don't get us wrong...). For
example, these guys painted a beautiful sign at
home and spared no effort in finding the perfect
place to display it! |
And their effort was received with appropriate
cheer by the crowd gathered below for the protest...
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... which was a fine, big, bustling crowd, especially
for a Thursday afternoon action!
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The protest was scheduled for downtown Miami
rush hour, and with all the signs,...
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... and energy, the protesters caught the attention
of thousands of people passing through the busy
intersection.
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More than a few stopped to learn more about
the boycott...
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Including people passing by on foot, a number
of whom stopped and joined the protest after
learning of the sweatshop conditions in Florida's
tomato fields.
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The street reaction was strongly positive, showing
that labor solidarity is not dead in this country...
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Even school children got into the act.
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The energy from the street kept the protesters
going for hours,...
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...
as did a top-notch rhythm section.
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By the third hour, however, the protesters began
to flag a bit...
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... not their spirits, but their bodies, a bit...
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When they got a much-needed lift, so to speak,
by the arrival of a fine delegation of friends
from LIFFT (Low Income Families Fighting Together)
and the Miami Workers Center, long-time allies
in the fight for social and economic justice
in South Florida.
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This sign says it all...
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As does this one. In fact, this sign might just
beat out all the t-shirts and banner drops on
this day of powerful messages. Peace, as in
the presence of justice. Peace, as in a life
free of hunger. Peace, as in fair-food that
respects human rights, rather than fast-food
that exploits human beings.
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The action wound down with some rousing speeches,
including allies from South Florida Jobs with
Justice...
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... and UNITE, representing workers in the Point
Blank campaign...
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And the day ended, appropriately, with the reading
of a poem for Mayday written by Langston Hughes.
The poem ends: "Life is everywhere. Mayday,
Mayday, Mayday, when the earth is new. Arise,
grow strong, take power, the forces of the earth
are yours from this hour!"
Happy Mayday, everyone.
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