To stop authoritarianism, we need to take more risks, both as individuals and collectively, so that when moments like ICE invasions or attempts at stealing the election happen, it won’t be our first time practicing collective action. This past May Day did just that, as a big step forward in our national movement for noncompliance and economic pressure.
SURJ is a member of the national May Day Strong coalition helping lead these efforts, and 143 members committed to organizing events in their hometowns (SURJ Bay Area pictured above!), and over 20 chapters turned out to make sure white working people stand in solidarity with people of color and against the billionaires.
Across the country, millions of people at over 5,000 events committed to no work, school or shopping. Nurses went on strike, thousands of teachers and students marched in North Carolina for better pay and “kids over corporations,” and union members rallied at Amazon warehouses. Protestors shut down the San Francisco Airport and the New York Stock Exchange. And groups hosted teach-ins and community events for immigrant rights and local issues.
From Cleveland (pictured above) to the Bay Area, Angola, IN to Charleston, WV, SURJ members showed up alongside local partners. Members brought in hundreds of new folks to SURJ by canvassing the crowds, rallied to pressure electeds to end funding to ICE, protested corporations, and more.
We’ll be using this momentum to power into winning primaries for progressive champions and launching a big training program for members this summer. Can you give a gift to keep the spirit of May Day going at SURJ?
Solidarity forever ❤️🔥
SURJ
Showing Up for Racial Justice
PO Box 1376
Buffalo, NY 14205
United States