May Day Louisville 2011, from our perspective

I put this video together very quickly in order to have a response to the corporate media's coverage of the May Day event in Louisville. This video is extremely limited in the sense that it is exclusively composed of footage that I shot myself at only a fraction of the event, but it will do for now. Look for more in the near future.

Here is the May Day 2011 Louisville, KY Communique:

Stand Up, Fight Back
We have seen the collective power that workers possess in Wisconsin and how easily such direct liberatory expression can be made hollow by the promises of leaders and their "legislative victories." We refuse to stand by and see the livelihoods of working people destroyed by the corporate favoritism which would rather "bail out" a bank than educate a child. Our minds and our bodies are not for sale. Happy meals are not a school lunch. We will not be spectators as libraries, fire departments, and healthcare are cut. As the federal government pours fuel on the fires that are destroying our future—bailouts, never ending wars, torture camps, cuts to vital social services—we demand a better world and a new vision. The future is too big to fail. Power to the workers! Power to the people!

Clowns
A cluster of Concerned Clowns of Conscience converged in Kentucky today. The clowns gathered in the morning at Shelby Park in a celebration of worker power to share food, skills, and antics. In between cartwheel, one clown reported, "We just couldn't stand to be upstaged by all the clowns in the capitol." Later in the afternoon the clowns joined the May Day March of Resistance at Financial Square. As one clown described the events, "We're here to point to the giant pink elephant in the room—workers and communities are being screwed." As inequalities continue to grow apace in the US and as workers are increasingly scapegoated, the clowns say their goal is to point to the possibility of direct resistance and hope for a new kind of future. The March of Resistance worked its way throughout downtown, stopping to discuss various sites of struggle along the way including Chase Banks, the KFC Yum Center, and the mayor's office. The march was finally met by giant puppets carrying a banner reading "Stand Up, Fight Back!" as it came to an end at the Great Lawn in Waterfront Park. While workers and community members held a "speak out" to discuss their increasing financial and personal hardship, the clowns performed for passerby. "We figured that our political process is all a corporate puppet show anyway," said one clown, "so we decided to take matter into out own hands." According to participants, May 1 was selected for the events because of its significance in labor struggle in the US and internationally. The day was chosen in the mid-19th Century to commemorate the winning of the eight hour work day and is known historically for the Haymarket Affair in which anarchists were tried and hung in Chicago for their beliefs. As one clown explained the lesson, "If you want more cotton canfy, you're foing to have to fight for it—or learn to juggle chainsaws." Pointing to the example of Egypt and inspired by the recent showdown in WIsconsin, the clowns said that significant social change is possible but it is going to require a little clowning around. Their slogan: "Beneath the pavement, a circus tent!"

LMPD: Serving & Protecting Corporate Power
Today Louisville Metro Police proved their disdain for the freedom of speech. In an unprovoked attack, LMPD clamped down on a non-violent march with several arrests and a disproportionate show of force. Police cited participants with the creative use of sidewalk chalk around public buildings. We feel that, regardless of the message, these arrests were an affront to the basic liberties guaranteed by the US Constitution. The stated purpose of the march was to celebrate May 1st, the internationally recognized holiday that celebrates workers and their victories through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These victories include the 40 hour work week, the eight hour work day, and the abolition of child labor. May Day has traditionally served as a site of worker resistance.

We believe in the creative possibilities of human imagination and community. We look forward to such expressions in the future and a day when protection is given to the people rather than the shiny facades of a couple corporate buildings.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Louisville
• Kentucky
• Anarchist
• May Day
• police agression
• chalk

[301Goldstar]

@Maatdrummer1 That might be next.

[Maatdrummer1]

I thought he was arrested for a fashion crime.  :-)

[mikeadever]

nicely written. i hope to see a black bloc in this city in the future. fuck the police!