May Day 2022 in the Twin Ports

This year May Day in the Twin Ports was marked by three powerful events.  The first one was an indoor International Workers Day rally celebrating the theme of workers’ solidarity.  About 75 folks attended the event, which was held from 11am to 1pm at the Harrison Community Center in West Duluth.  The rally featured tables from local activist groups, food and a number of speakers.  About 75 people attended.  The event was endorsed by the Duluth Central Labor Body, United Steelworkers Local 9460, the MN Nurses Association, AFSCME Retirees Council 5, MAPE, AFSCME Local 1092, the Northwoods Socialist Collective, the HOTDISH Militia, Twin Ports International Feminist Strike and Twin Ports DSA.

The next event was a moving ceremony held at 2pm at the Duluth Harbor calling attention to Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women.  The Anishinaabe led event featured an Eagle Staff march and song, several speakers from elders and survivors, a water song and the placing of flowers in the water for the murdered and missing.  About 40 people attended.  This was the 8th year that this event was held, and unfortunately organizer’s announced it would be the last.  We all owe a great debt of gratitude to Babette Sandman and Shawn Carr for organizing these events year after year.

The final May Day event of the day was an anti-imperialist demonstration at 5:30pm that was held at Center City Park in Superior.  Attendees were urged to bring signs highlighting our opposition to imperialism and economic injustice.  About 15 people attended.  It was sponsored by the Anti-Imperialist Collective, Grandmothers for Peace and Veterans for Peace.

Thank you to everyone who organized and attended these events!