Richmond May Day Marches Through Controversy

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Union supporters and labor activists came together on May 1st to celebrate one cause – May Day. And like the labor movement, it did not come without controversy.

Nearly 300 people gathered at Monroe Park to listen to performers and speakers rally about workers’ rights and the need to continue to fight for social equality. The third May Day rally led to a parade of flags, signs and puppets with music by the No BS Brass Band. People marched through Monroe Park up to Harrison St. and Broad St.

The parade was not legal. In late April, a federal judge denied the May Day Coalition a permit because the group did not want to pay for security from off-duty police officers. Organizers warned marchers to stay on the sidewalks but many did not listen.

Police did not show up until the parade reached Broad St. The parade finished without any arrests.

The idea of a workers’ holiday came about after the 1886 Haymarket Massacre when Chicago police fired against union strikers and killed a dozen people.