Resistance on May 1^st: Workers Protest for Better Wages and Better Working Conditions While Gaza Supporters Remain Defiant against Police and Zionist Violence

 

By David Starr

 

A series of actions took place during May 1^st, International Workers Day: Basically, May Day protests by workers wanting higher wages and decent working conditions; and the brutalization of Gaza supporters by police and Zionist thugs at various universities where the supporters remain steadfast in the goals of university divestment from Israel and a permanent ceasefire in Palestine.

 

An Associated Press (AP) report detailed the actions of protesters worldwide, with mention of workers’ support for Palestinians. “Workers and activists around the world marked May Day with largely peaceful protests over rising prices, low wages and calls for greater labor rights. Pro-Palestinian sentiments were also on display.”

 

There was a conflict in Istanbul, Turkey where “thousands of people” tried to burst through a barricade in an attempt to reach Taksim Square, “in defiance of a ban.” Police tried to block off workers and activists from reaching the Square using tear gas and rubber bullets. “At least 210 people were detained.”

 

Paris was the site of more conflict as thousands of workers and activists marched through the city demanding higher wages and better working conditions. A homemade explosive was detonated on the march’s sidelines injuring 12 officers. There was scattered violence resulting in 45 people being detained. “France’s unions have warned of a strike during” the Summer Olympic games if the government doesn’t reasonably compensate people who worked during summer holidays. Pro-Palestinian groups joined the march in support of Gaza and its people.

 

Greece also had pro-Palestinian protesters joining May Day rallies where a giant Palestinian flag was waved. Protesters showed solidarity with the students in the United States who were determined to oppose Israel’s genocide. Quoting from AP, a protester named Nikos Mavrokefalos said, “We want to express our solidarity with students in the United States who are facing great repression of their rights and just demands. We want to send a message that workers say no to exploitation, no to poverty, no to high prices.”

 

In Germany, about 11,600 people marched through the neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukoelln where there are large immigrant populations. People waved Palestinian flags and carried banners that read, “No weapons for Israel” and Free Palestine.”

 

Current Argentine President Javier Milei, who is a libertarian, was the subject of disgust as unions came out to rage against Milei’s economic policies. It’s a typical story with the rule of capital: the wealthy getting privileges and entitlements while the working class and the poor struggle economically.

 

There were other marches and rallies in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, etc. Many nations worldwide holding May Day rallies and marches had common themes: raging against inadequate wages, high prices, lack of basic rights, and showing solidarity to the Palestinian cause.

 

Detailing police crackdowns and Zionist thugs, Democracy Now! brought on two student protesters to describe their experiences. This can be seen here.

 

Joe Allen, writing in CounterPunch, says that the pro-Palestinian protests have been “an explosion” as they have been happening in over 100 campuses. “Columbia University, the current epicenter of Palestine protests,” has provoked fear in the Washington D.C. establishment that instead of the university producing “foreign policy advocates,” Columbia is producing “foreign policy critics.

 

“The mass arrests of student, faculty, and other education workers–as well as the brutal police violence that they have been subjected to–is unprecedented in recent U.S. history.” The Vietnam and Iraq protests were significant, but the Palestine protests have introduced new radicals on the scene. And they mean business. Unfortunately, so do the police, pro-Israel Zionists and the rest of the establishment. Israel, and Zionism, are not to be criticized, according to the establishment. There have already been violations against the 1^stAmendment by those cracking down and/or starting trouble with the protesters. There is, thus, the role of free speech and what is done to violate it.

 

Allen cites a poll put out by the Data Center for Progress which reveals:

 

A total of 67% of the population support a permanent ceasefire and the halting of violence in Gaza. Breaking it down, 77% of Democrats, 69% of Independents, and 56% of Republicans support these objectives. The Democratic leadership, as well as most Republicans, still fully supports Israel, thus defying the majority of the U.S. population. 

 

Allen asserts that liberalism and Zionism “are clearly in crisis in the United States.” It’s been a situation where U.S. liberals have been in lockstep in fully supporting Israel for decades. Now, that’s being challenged by many activists who are fed up with the ultra-close relationship between the USA and Israel. Allen writes, “…a line has been crossed, and it’s hard to see things going back to anything approaching a widespread uncritical support for Israel and its Democratic supporters, again.”

 

In New York, 282 students were arrested by police at Columbia University and the City College of New York, saying it was necessary. Jewish Voice for Peace knew this was a weak excuse and condemned the New York Police Department for its actions.

 

There were clashes at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) when a pro-Israel group attacked the pro-Palestinian encampment; and this raised tensions to their highest level. Police eventually raided the encampment. A 20-year-old student named Alicia Verdugo was quoted in El Pais about the attacks and crackdown by police, saying, “It was an unexpected and unprecedented attack.” Verdugo and other students demanded that the U.S. divest from Israel and stop supplying aid. “Our tuition money is the same money that buys bombs to wipe out Gaza.” 

 

Regarding the assaults by Zionist thugs, students were beaten, pepper sprayed and exposed to other chemicals. There were even fireworks directed at their tents. Police initially didn’t react but eventually targeted the students.

 

And in other universities such as the University of South Florida, the University of Wisconsin and Tulane University, etc., protesters have experienced a similar pattern of behavior from the police, conducting raids and making arrests. 

 

These actions were condemned by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories. Quoted by Nils Adler in Al Jazeera, Albanese said she was, “horrified by the violent actions of the police at US universities smashing protests against an ongoing genocide perpetrated by a foreign country.” Albanese has been very critical of the overall situation.

 

The same criticism has come from U.S. protesters and their supporters, particularly against the Biden administration’s lack of a political spine to confront Israel on its genocide. President Joe Biden has given weak warnings to Netanyahu about how to conduct the war, but not to push for a permanent ceasefire. Biden cautioned the Israeli government to not produce too many civilian casualties, and let in much-needed aid to Palestinians, especially many who are enduring a famine thanks to Israel’s aggression. But, to reiterate, no call for a permanent ceasefire from the Biden administration.

 

Many in the Democratic based are angry with Biden’s refusal to get tough on Israel. Muslim-Americans and the youth are especially angry. Besides not calling for a permanent ceasefire, Biden and the USA have vetoed ceasefire resolutions in the UN Security Council, and vetoed a resolution inviting Palestine into UN as a nation. With 2024 being an election year, Biden’s alienation of some in his base could cost him reelection, which could pave the way for a Trump tyranny.

 

On the Rational National, guest Michael Moore sent a message, more like a warning, to Biden on his cynical refusal to take action against Israel and how that could affect his chances for reelection. 

 

The right to protest has been also at stake. According to Reuters, “Escalating campus protests are forcing [Biden] to walk a careful line of denouncing antisemitism while supporting Americans’ right to protest and trying to limit longer-term political damage.” Republicans have tried to take advantage of the situation, calling some Democrats “chaos merchants” and “antisemites.” The GOP has also accused Democrats of being “pro-terror protesters.” 

 

The GOP’s childish name-calling, however, does not erase the fact that many Republicans, and Democrats (with exceptions) have been actually supporting terrorism, siding with Israel and thus its genocide and war crimes. It’s all-too obvious.

 

The May Day demonstrations combined with the Palestinian cause has been like a tidal wave smashing against the walls of the bourgeois establishment. And one day, those walls could be tumbling down.