May 1 is Mayday, the anarchist day of remembrance and rage in spirit of the activists who were framed and murdered by the government of Chicago on May 1, 1886. It is the tragedy of the Haymarket Martyrs that reminds us all of the very real threat of police and government violence towards outspoken individuals. Working people who demand their rights have always felt the fear of retribution: many activists for human rights ironically live with the knowledge that they could be imprisoned or killed for standing up and speaking out. Refusal to bow down to these pressures is the driving force behind Mayday actions, strikes, and rallies all over the world. [see Supersphere.com]

In Santa Cruz, May Day 2005 will include an International Workers Day Parade organized with the support of the Reel Work May Day Labor Film Festival, Art & Revolution and the newly formed Santa Cruz General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World. The IWW will gather at the Tom Scribner statue at 11:30am and then march to the Town Clock. At 12:00pm, labor organizer Fred Hirsh will speak at the Town Clock rally about struggles faced by local workers. People will then march to the Poet & Patriot (320 Cedar St) for a 1:00pm screening of "The Wobblies." Following the film, there will be a discussion about the future of the labor movement.

At 6:00pm at the Portuguese Hall (216 Evergreen St), the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council is sponsoring a film screening, International Workers Day Dinner and a discussion with California State Treasurer Phil Angelides and Deborah Burger, President of the California Nurses Association. "Wal-Mart's War On The Workers" is a short film made by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) and details the anti-union tactics of Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, which has proposed to open a store in Pajaro.

See also: IWW 100th Anniversary May Day Celebration and Santa Cruz Branch Formation || Industrial Workers of the World || May Day and the Haymarket Martyrs || Lumberjack - By Tom Scribner || About Tom Scribner

The developmental process for a On-line litigation process for prosecution and defense against the U.S. Government results in an Illegal action on-line that has controlled the Santa Barbara Indy Media Web-page for postings from Bellingham Wa.:

No reasonable person would believe the investigation of former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros would have continued this long. Cisneros resigned from office on November 21of 1996. He subsequently pled guilty to a misdemeanor, paid a $10,000 fine, and received a presidential pardon.

IWW members have been actively organizing all over the country. Starbucks workers in New York, truckers in Stockton, grocery workers in Austin, retail workers in Philadelphia and throughout the nation. The spirit of organizing is in the air.

We are meeting up with friends and allies to watch a brand new film about the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST). We're hope to raise awarness about the MST and get some much needed support for the MST's National March for Agrarian Reform, starting on May 1st. We are asking for a small donation from those who attend. Come watch the movie with us and bring some snacks/drinks!

NOBODY WILL BE TURNED AWAY FOR LACK OF FUNDS.