Who are we?

May Day Atlanta is a local initiative created by Atlanta area residents. As such, our focus is to create a radical, family-friendly, working-class oriented space every May Day. The rest of the year, we organize social events to help keep friends and comrades in touch and having fun.

What is May Day?

May Day has long been a traditional spring festival day, but it is also International Workers’ Day. As such, May Day commemorates the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, when, during mass strikes and demonstrations for the eight-hour workday, police opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators after an unknown person threw a bomb at police. Along with many thousands workers all over the country, the crowd was striking for the eight-hour workday. After the bombing and massacre, eight anarchists who were active in the strike were convicted of conspiracy in the bomb plot, although no evidence was ever presented; seven of those convicted were executed, while the eighth was sentenced to 15 years in prison. In the aftermath of the massacre and trial, the government took the opportunity to spread anti-communist and anti-anarchist sentiment across the country. Meanwhile, the May Day strikers got what they were fighting for: the eight-hour workday.

How can you help?

You can get involved by contacting us. Also stay tuned for news and events. Whether you’d like to outreach in your community, help set up for an event, or organize with us for next May Day, there’s plenty to do!