![Opinion: "To have a successful pro-democracy movement in the [U.S.], we must recognize working people’s struggles as central to stopping authoritarianism, not separate from it. […] Countering the power of bosses and landlords builds a base of people who won’t accept it from the White House either."](https://external-preview.redd.it/UNS9Q5dlXcOv67ck7vYMtnVdxejEavzTzHKmdYeC8zM.jpeg?width=140&height=70&auto=webp&s=8a8021aabed66ea504e97cd800a680f6e18c6fd7)
If we’re going to make the national shutdown on May 1st matter, we’re going to have to do the slow, hard work of asking folks to make a sacrifice with us, one person at a time. 🪧 Here’s some tools we can use and opportunities to help us grow the movement in the coming days: 🪧
Also in today's Rogan's List:
On Saturday, No Kings reached into 3,300+ communities in every single congressional district, including more than 600 for the first time. More than 1 of every 50 Americans showed up. The energy to defeat Trump and the billionaires is there. Now, we need to convert it into power.
May Day Strong organizers are calling for a higher level of commitment for the next day of protest, collective action for May 1st. We're holding a full national shutdown: no work, no school, no commerce. And we’re going beyond rejecting Trump’s oligarchic project to propose one of our own: a real affordability agenda with detailed policy proposals to build multiracial democracy, change the economic rules in our country and put the good life within everyone’s reach.
The build is well under way. Let's make sure we do our part.
We can take the pledge to strike here, and start asking folks around us to do the same.
We can find out what's involved in hosting an action here - 3300 won't come easy.
We can read the full people's agenda here.
And we can join a mass call to learn more on Thursday, April 9th here.
Let's send an economic message. After over 8 million citizens spoken out clearly against this regime, time to ramp up the pressure.
Tulsa is hosting an event for May Day Strong. Can you attend? Click to sign up.
What we’re attempting to do this May Day is not easy. Mass noncompliance requires a lot of individuals to decide they’re going to be part of it to succeed, and there are plenty of ways for any one of us to justify not doing our share of a collective action. We are going to have to put the work in to recruit folks to say no work, no school, no shopping in protest of this administration’s pro-billionaire agenda.
TONIGHT at 7PM ET, organizers are holding a national call to talk about our demands, the protests that will be taking place on May 1st, and our long-term strategy for power-building. It’s a great way to get folks up to speed on what the plan is and answer any questions they have about the May Day shutdown. 🏫 Let’s sign up to join here and make sure we’re inviting interested folks to attend with us. 🏫
The May Day Strong coalition has also put together resources we can use to recruit, including a starter toolkit with everything from sticker and sign designs to guidance on how to have one-on-one conversations with folks about the shutdown, a map of events that folks can attend on May Day, a pledge folks can sign to commit to participating, and guidance on how to canvass local businesses to ask them to join us by closing for the day. ⛏️ Let’s check it all out here. ⛏️
Hello,
I know this sounds very "I don't wanna stop buying shit for a day waaaah" but I am legitimately asking.
I am being kicked out of my current living space and moving into an apartment on the 1st. I can't move any earlier, and I can't move any later. My lease starts and ends on the 1st. Yes, I know that's foolish and I should leave overlap, but that wasn't an option. I don't have any furniture, as it was all ruined or destroyed by water damage, and cannot sleep on the floor for reasons I am not getting into here. I will HAVE to spend money to get a new bed and bedframe (though cheap), and presumably an old dresser from Goodwill.
How is the best way to go about doing this while still trying to keep with the strike terms? Obviously minimizing my spending is my goal, but as I've explained, I will have to spend money. I want to try to participate as much as I can, and will not be purchasing anything other than the two/three necessities mentioned above.
Thank you.
I made this poster before I found this sub. I hope that’s ok that I didn’t say mayday!
Feel free to share or print out.
Hi all. Ive been watching general strikes like this unfold every year for a while, and worked on one of them (October strike) a few years ago. A big criticism that these movements face is that they only last one day. Looking at history, things that last longer tend to put more pressure on governments and draw attention to citizens’ seriousness and dedication to their cause.
What I’m proposing is a general boycott to go along with the strike, one that we encourage people to start now, and keep going as long as they can.
This would be more sustainable than a general strike, as not everyone can afford to not show up to work. However, EVERYONE can benefit from not spending money where possible. Live like you’re poor (if you’re lucky enough to not be in this economy). Don’t buy anything unnecessary. No clothes, no knick-knacks, no fast food, no new tech, no Amazon. Just basic grocery and things you need to live. This means we won’t be paying sales taxes. This means industries will suffer. This means that, with sustained action, people and politicians will notice, and will care.
This will be more of an incentive for people to participate and bolster local mutual aid projects. Get involved in sharing, being a part of their communities, looking out for each other instead of funding the systems that led us here.
Anyway, that’s my two cents. Thoughts?