Indivisibles Vermilion County will be hosting a Thursday, May 1st “May Day” protest march, starting at the Danville Social Security Office (400 N. Vermilion), and moving on to the Danville Post Office (303 N. Hazel). But as Germaine Light explains, this will not be a straight “point A to point B” march. They will also be stopping at the Workers Memorial on North Hazel Street, where the Workers Memorial Day ceremony happened last Saturday. But as Light explains, in many countries, May 1st is when you honor all the workers.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: For most countries Thursday is their Labor Day. It’s also known as May Day or International Workers Day. And so, we are honoring all workers, and defending all workers jobs. And their right to unionize, their right to organize, and their right to collective bargaining.
Scenes from April 5th Indivisibles Vermilion County “Hands Off” protest outside VA Illiana Health Care.
Light says that while the Saturday, April 5th “Hands Off” protest focused on V.A. workers and Veterans services; this protest focuses on both Social Security workers, and those that need Social Security; not to mention Medicare and Medicaid.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: There are tons of people in Vermilion County that need their Social Security. We have heard that some towns may lose their Social Security offices. We don’t want to lose ours. We don’t want to lose our benefits either. Some people simply couldn’t live without what they’re getting. I mean, we’re talking starvation; can’t afford their rent; can’t afford their medicines.
Light says while at the Post Office they will talk very sternly against privatization of the postal service, and then move on to the nearby women’s history memorial.
Light also says other area May Day protests will include one in Champaign starting at 7 PM, in the Kirby and Florida area, with a “Be the Light” protest planned.
