San Francisco May Day
The mass San Francisco May Day march was organized by the The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).  It was an inspiring event because it was a multi-racial march of thousands of workers arranged in dozens of trade union contingents. One Black speaker said that the current street murders by the police are just a continuation of the slave system over the past 400 years.  Workers were very open to our leaflets and CHALLENGE newspapers, introduced as 'for international solidarity', 'for multiracial unity', 'for communism' and  'for worker's power'.  
The Progressive Labor Party (PLP) leaflet criticized the AFL leadership's support for imperialist war, its failure to organize immigrants in the U.S., and its failure to organize in Latin America where U.S. imperialism causes drought, oppression, and massacres of workers, forcing thousands to flee looking for safety in the U.S.
 PL'ers and friends distributed 450 leaflets, 80 copies of CHALLENGE and made contacts to be followed-up with.
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My first May Day
This was my first May Day and it felt more impactful than I could have imagined. I was met in the streets by a multiracial and multigenerational crowd who immediately shared their experiences during May Day, our current plight in a capitalist system, and the importance of realizing the disparities that this system places on us throughout this pandemic.
As we marched, I watched a crowd of people chant antiracist, anti-sexist, anti-capitalist, and pro-working class chants in Spanish, Hatian Creole, and English. We weaved through the streets of Brooklyn, NY and were met by community members who joined our march and asked several questions. They were tired of this system and appreciated our message.
People in the streets were receptive and brought CHALLENGE with them as they continued through their day. I listened to worker’s stories and felt immediate anger hearing the injustices they faced because of police terror. I knew that I was exactly where I needed to be.
We continued down Flatbush Ave. supporting each other and stepping up when other workers needed a break or help.
I needed that day. Everyone who was able to experience May Day at the march needed it too.
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Student’s first May Day speech
After attending the 2021 Progressive Labor Party (PLP) May Day event, I felt part of a community with caring comrades. It was wonderful to give a speech related to the current conditions in the City University of New York, and I felt empowered, heard, and productive as a student organiser. I enjoyed the vivid display of red flags as we loudly asserted ourselves through music and chants.
I have never attended a May Day celebration before, but I will remember this event and keep it as a cherished memory. I am looking forward to attending the 2022 PLP May Day event!
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