PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

IWW May Day Statement
by X353983 Thursday, May. 01, 2003 at 2:28 AM

Statement by the General Executive Board of the IWW on May Day

Industrial Workers of the World

May Day 2003

The First of May is a traditional time to celebrate the return of Spring to
the northern hemisphere and the natural solidarity of workers around the
world.

This year, however, the mood of workers is considerably subdued. As workers
gather to celebrate the international worker's holiday, we look upon a
world becoming more and more unstable. From the invasion of Iraq, to the
economic crisis, to continuing attacks upon working class organizations and
living conditions, everywhere there is war - against workers.

Understanding Our Strength

Before the invasion of Iraq began, several unions, most notably in Italy
and the United Kingdom, made efforts to use their power as workers to stop
the transport of war materials. As an IWW poet said years ago, "Without our
brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn". The ruling class -
international capitalism, needs us to do its bidding. When we organize and
refuse its orders, we can start to define an alternative to the "New World
Order".

Organization Needed

The scattered demonstrations and isolated local acts of rebellion will not
be enough to defeat our well-organized opponents. The expression of moral
or political outrage may have passing influence, but in the long term has
little effect. In fact, the ruling class needs riots and violent
demonstrations, using them as an excuse for funding repressive police
forces and further restricting our rights.

In order to fight a well-organized, highly centralized enemy, we need to
transform spontaneous mass protests into reliable, democratic organizations
of mutual aid and support. These structures need to emphasize the working
class strengths - solidarity, economic power, and internationalism.

www.iww.org

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