MAY 1: "THOSE WHO DO NOT MOVE, DO NOT NOTICE THEIR CHAINS"

 

 

May Day, writes Vicky Wilson, is a day to honour the past, challenge the present, and fight for a future where social justice prevails. As Rosa Luxemburg said, 'Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.'
 

International Workers’ Day, celebrated on the first of May, is not just a historical relic but a living testament to the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and social justice.

The relevance of May Day is deeply rooted in the principles of solidarity and collective action. It commemorates the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, where workers striking for an eight-hour workday faced brutal repression. This event symbolized the workers’ movement’s fight against capitalist exploitation and for a fair and equitable society.

Rosa Luxemburg, a revolutionary socialist, understood the importance of May Day. She saw it as a day of international unity, where the working class could demonstrate its strength and commitment to overthrowing the oppressive capitalist system. Luxemburg’s dedication to the cause of workers’ emancipation and her critique of reformist approaches resonates today as we witness growing inequalities and the precariousness of labour.

In the current era of globalisation, the relevance of May Day is amplified. Workers around the world face similar challenges: low wages, poor working conditions, and the erosion of labour rights. The gig economy and the rise of contract work have further fragmented the workforce, making collective bargaining more challenging. Yet, the spirit of May Day reminds us that unity across borders and industries is possible and necessary.

Luxemburg’s legacy teaches us that the fight for workers’ rights is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for social justice. She believed that true freedom comes not from individual liberation but from the collective emancipation of all oppressed classes. Her life’s work was dedicated to this cause, and her martyrdom only strengthened the resolve of those who followed in her footsteps.

Today, May Day serves as a rallying cry for a new generation of workers and activists. It’s a day to organize, to protest, and to envision a world where labour is not a commodity but a valued and respected facet of human life. It’s a day to remember figures like Rosa Luxemburg, who remind us that our struggles are interconnected and that a better world is not only possible but necessary.

May Day remains relevant because it encapsulates the ongoing struggle for a world where workers are not mere cogs in the capitalist machine but are recognized as the driving force behind all progress and innovation. It’s a day to honour the past, challenge the present, and fight for a future where social justice prevails. As Luxemburg herself said, “Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” May Day is a reminder to keep moving, keep fighting, and keep dreaming of a just and equitable world for all workers.

Vicky Wilson lives in New York. She is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.