Glasgow's May Day.

         It is fast approaching, that day that will be celebrated all over the world, the workers day, the day for the ordinary people of this world to come together to celebrate and remember. I'm talking about May Day, a fun day, a day to renew old friendships, make new ones, a family day, out in the open.
       Sadly in Glasgow it has deteriorated to a slow march through the city and then a meeting in a cinema to listen to our political ballerinas explain how they and they alone, will lead you to the promised land. Most young people in Glasgow have no memory of the May Days out in the open, having fun. To alleviate this illness, a group of us are trying to bring May Day back to the Glasgow Green and have it reborn as what it was meant to be, a family day, a fun day, a day to celebrate our common connections, a day to show the solidarity of the working class.

     So come along to the May Day Picnic on The Green, at Free Wheel North. Monday May 1st from 2:00. Bringing what you expect to find, bring your street, bring May Day back to the Green. It is workers day, the celebration of spring, out in the open, as it should be.
      Make this a day to meet up with old friends and comrades, make new connections, and have a real fun relaxing friendly day on The Green. May Day belongs to the people, let's make it what we want it to be.

          Join us at Free Wheel North on 1st of May 2:00
See website for details: Updates for activities will be posted as they come in.

https://maydayglasgow2017.wordpress.com/

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

 

May Day, May Day, May Day.

       In recent years Glasgow's May Day "celebration" has descended into a sedate controlled march through the city, to a hall where we are expected to sit and listen to our political ballerinas spout how the will lead us to the promised land, the word "celebration" seems to have been misunderstood. Well a group us think that it is time we took hold of the word "celebration" and returned May Day to what it was meant to be, a "celebration", a coming together to chat, mix, to create new friendships, to honour or past working class heroes, to strengthen our bounds of solidarity by communicating with each other, a fun day. We also believe that May Day belongs on The Green, or any other public space, where people can come and go as they please.

         To that end a group of us got together last year and held a May Day picnic on The Green, it proved to be a success, and we enjoyed an afternoon of music, poetry and face-painting, plus lots of chat and food. So this year we would like to see it grow to an even great "celebration" of our working class traditions. You can help us do this.

         The May Day on the Green Committee is organising a May Day picnic for May 1 at 2 pm on the Glasgow Green near the bicycle area (Free Wheel North). Our purpose is to revive a long-standing radical tradition in Glasgow; an event on the Green to celebrate May Day, the day to demonstrate our solidarity with the struggles of working people around the world and to reaffirm our commitment to a new and better world.
       Our picnic on the Green will include poetry, songs and fun for children. Everyone brings food to share with others in a communal meal.
      We want this to be an inclusive event with everyone who shares our perspective welcome to join us.
        We need your support to make the picnic a success:

         --The Spirit of Revolt and the Clydeside branch of the Industrial Workers of the World have endorsed the May Day picnic. Help us to get out the word and get more organisations endorsing the event and publicising it. Contact Eric at echester1943@gmail.com
         --We want to have bicycles carrying signs that can go around the city on the morning of May 1 to tell everyone to come to the Green. Contact Bob at bob@citystrolls.com
        --We are looking for poets and musicians who would be interested in performing at the picnic. Contact John at john.c.at95@btinternet.com

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Chat, Songs And Poetry, Happy May Day.

        Yea, I know, I keep going on about the May Day picnic on The Green, but it was a great wee self organised event. So here is a wee video of the event thanks to Bob at City Strolls.



And the more sedate and sanitised official May Day march and rally.

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

May Day On The Green Photos.

       For all you poor souls who missed Glasgow's May Day Picnic on The Green, here are some photos to make you feel you made it there. Thanks Anne.

 

 

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

Glasgow's May Day With A Wee Difference.

        

          May Day celebrations took place across the world, and so they should, it is our day, the day when we come together to celebrate our working class heroes and our victories. It is a time for solidarity with all those involved in the struggle for equality and freedom, a time to renew old friendships, a time to make new friends. In this, Glasgow is no different, it has its May Day celebration, though this year there was a wee difference. There was the usual sanctioned, sedate, march through the city centre, ending up at The Fruit Market in Candleriggs for the usual speeches by the usual political ballerinas. It was a fair turnout, considering the weather forecast was for heavy rain, but the weather was kind, and though cold it was dry. My own guesstimate was around the 1,500 mark. All the usual banners were there lead, off by a pipe band.

 

 

         Then there was that wee difference. A group of locals decide to try to organise a May Day picnic on Glasgow Green, after the march, where we feel that Glasgow May Day used to be celebrated, and should be celebrated. Again despite the horrible weather forecast, about 30 or so turned up, and the place was soon festoon by banners and flags. We had poets, guitar player/singer and face-painting for the kids, even the rather mature kids. Food appeared from generous volunteers and great time was had by all. Everybody agreed that it was a great success and hope to repeat it next year, with greater numbers. A heart felt glow of gratitude to all those who turned up and made it possible. See you next year, on The Green.

 

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

May Day On The Green.

        An other appeal for those interested in getting May Day back on the Green, get in touch, bring what you expect to find, come and do your thing, just let us know what you hope to do.

 MAY DAY IN THE GREEN

Sunday ist May from 1.30pm (to around 4pm) informal picnic with poets, singers, musicians. The location will be at the other side of the Peoples Palace in Glasgow Green, near the "washing lines" and canopy. Part of a project to return Mayday to the people from the Bureaucrats of the STUC & Politicians. This will be after the May day march from George Square at 11.30 and complementary to street stalls at Buchanan St. Planning meeting at 1pm Sunday 17th April in Electron Club. All invited to help make this a success! An event supported by Spirit of Revolt archive, Clydeside IWW and performers    email   annarky@radicalglasgow.me.uk

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk