The 1st of May or May Day is also known as the National Day of Action, or International Workers' Day, starting as far back as 1856, commemorating historical gains made by labor rights movements. The upcoming protest in Glenwood Springs is being planned by Mountain Action Indivisible, a local grassroots pro-democracy organization. Here's MAI founding member Debbie Bruell.
"We're asking people to gather on Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs. Near Sayer Park. During our April five rally, we had speakers, we had stuff happening in the park, and then we also had people line up along Grand Avenue and wave their signs. And we got an amazing response from the cars driving by.
And so for this next one, we are gonna focus on that sign waving, bring a sign. Bring a drum, bring a away to make noise, bring lots of friends and just line the streets on the sidewalks. Not on the streets- we need to be careful not to block driveways, but other than that, we are allowed to be on the sidewalks as long as we let other people pass."
Lori Brandon, another founding Mountain Action Indivisible members says their protests are not only about resistance and awareness, but also the sense of community they bring.
"It is also really important to give people who are feeling despair and frustration over what's happening a sense of solidarity, and a sense that they're not alone. And an ability to commiserate a little bit and to, sort of get into some joyful experience around all of this, because that's what we need to do to keep ourselves going."
Bruell and Brandon say that everyone is welcome no matter who they voted for or if they voted at all. The event officially starts at four in the afternoon on Thursday the first and ends at 6:00 pm. May Day protests are planned across the country to draw attention to issues like education, worker’s rights, and immigration.
