2010’s May Day march (Image: Central District News with permission)
It’s finally May and the weather probably isn’t going to suck that bad. Congratulations, Seattle. You made it. Here are three items of note to mark the day: a park party reminder, a May Day march and a show of solidarity with union workers by a group of Seattle businesses (most with Hill connections).
- Reminder: Capitol Hill celebrates its newest green space with the official dedication of Summit Slope Park and the Unpaving Paradise P-Patches. Party starts at noon next to the East Olive Way Starbucks.
- Seattle’s 2011 May Day march starts at Judkins Park in the Central District. Here’s a look at 2010’s Seattle May Day scene. Organizers expect an even larger crowd in 2011.
Dennis Kucinich will join thousands in Seattle for the 11th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights on Sunday, May 1st 2011.
March to call for a stop to repression of trade unions and call for an immediate end to mass dragnet raids, deportations, and separation of families as part of harsh anti-immigrant DHS Programs.
SEATTLE – As a last minute addition to the program, Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Representative from Ohio’s 10th District and former Presidential Candidate will join thousands of demonstrators that are expected to take to the streets of Seattle on Sunday, May 1, 2011 for the 11
th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights. In the spirit of unity and solidarity with other communities across the country, organizers in Seattle will focus on the universal theme of standing together with all workers regardless of race, class, gender, ability and documented status. Details about the event are as follows:
What: 11
th Annual May Day March and Rally for Workers and Immigrant Rights
Who: Thousands of workers and immigrant rights supporters will be joined by musical performers, labor leaders and advocates for social justice: Dennis Kucinich (U.S. Representative, Ohio’s 10th District), Carlos Arango (Exec Director of Casa Aztlan Community Center in Chicago, Ill.), Jimador Norteño (band), Sandy Restrepo (El Comité), Rodolfo Franco (Pres., AFSCME Local 304), and many others.
When: 12:00 p.m. Sunday May 1st, 2011.
Where: The march will begin at Judkins Park (2150 S. Norman ST, Seattle, WA 98144) and a two hour program will be held at Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center.
- Capitol Hill business owner and the promoter behind the Capitol Hill Block Party Dave Meinert is celebrating the day with his announcement of an effort from a group of Seattle businesses to support union workers. As Publicola and every other healthy skeptic has pointed out, none of the participating businesses are union shops. Meinert’s Big Mario’s Pizza is a CHS advertiser.
SEATTLE BUSINESSES TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH UNION MEMBERS: Union Members will get discounts in May at the 5 Point Cafe, Caffe Vita, Big Mario’s Pizza, Local 360, The JuJu, The Crocodile, Via Tribunali, Moe Bar, Spitfire, and Rudy’s Barbershops
As Unions Come Under Attack Across the Country, Progressive Business Owners Call on Other Seattle Businesses to Join the Effort to Honor Union Members
Seattle (May 1) — A group of Seattle business owners announced today that starting May Day (May 1) they will show solidarity with the labor community by offering discounts for union members in their establishments during the month of May.
Patrons who show proof of union membership will receive 15 percent discounts in participating establishments through the end of the month. Participating businesses (so far) include: The 5 Point Cafe (www.the5pointcafe.com), Caffe Vita (www.caffevita.com), Local 360 (www.local360.org), Via Tribunali (/www.viatribunali.net), The JuJu (www.jujulive.com), The Crocodile ( http://thecrocodile.com), Moe Bar ( http://neumos.com/moe.php), Big Mario’s Pizza (www.bigmariosnewyorkstylepizza.com) – all 15% off Food and Drinks, and Rudy’s Barbershop (www.rudysbarbershop.com) – 15% off product in all their shops.
“The unfortunate attempts by people to smear union members and strip them of their hard earned benefits in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states is wrong,” said David Meinert, owner of the historic 5 Point Cafe in Belltown. “Union members are teachers, home care workers, cops, firefighters, and other hard-working folks. They are the backbone of the middle class, and smart business owners know that without a thriving middle class our businesses will not survive. That is why other Seattle business owners and I are going to show our appreciation by offering discounts to union members for the entire month of May.”
Meinert called on other Seattle business owners to join the initial group of businesses offering the discounts. “This is a great opportunity for progressive businesses across Seattle to show they support the rights of Labor and value the work that Union members do.”
Businesses interested in participating in the effort should contact Meinert via e-mail at [email protected].
[oops, meant to post this here] Since there are only three independent restaurants in Seattle which are unionized and none of them are offering a discount to all other union members, props to the business owners who are. Seems like a really nice thing to do. Just because employees at these businesses haven’t chosen to unionize it doesn’t mean the businesses can’t or shouldn’t show support of labor. (Justin – is CHS unionized? Shouldn’t you only hire freelancers who are members of http://www.nwu.org?)
Thanks for the note — the link above in my post comes off more biting than it needs to be so I’m glad you posted this. What are the three restaurants?