BARUCH COLLEGE–Worker organizations and unions marched from Washington Square Park to Foley Square on May 1 to demand more protection and rights for workers on May Day, also known as International Workers Day.
May Day in the United States U.S. began with a Chicago-based movement in the 19th century to push for an eight-hour workday. At the time, the Industrial Revolution had led to 16-hour workdays and other unfavorable work conditions. Although the federal government does not recognize May Day as a national holiday, many still use it to push working-class unity.
“Together and in this space on May Day, we rally for workers across this state who are excluded, forgotten, marginalized, exploited and denied opportunity,” Tina Luongo, from the criminal defense practice at the Legal Aid Society, told the crowd.
