April 27, 2012

May Day General Strike Prepared by the MSA Research & Intelligence Analysis Team Information current as of 9:00 AM Overview History May 1st has long been a significant date for and is recognized as a holiday in most industrialized countries, excluding the United States. Back in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada accepted a resolution which stated that starting on May 1st, 1886, eight hours would constitute a legal day of labor, down from the typical 10 to 16 hours of daily work. Three main labor organizations began preparing for a general strike to be held on that date in support of the eight-hour workday. Once May 1st, 1886 approached, rallies were held throughout the United States; the largest were held in (90,000 participants), Detroit (11,000) and New York (10,000). Across the country, people left work all day to strike during normal working hours. & the General Strike While the holiday, referred to as International Workers’ Day, is not officially recognized within the US, rallies are historically common practice on May Day (May 1st). Occupy , and were some of the first Occupy groups to call for a General Strike on May 1st in solidarity with existing May Day events to defend the rights of workers, immigrants, students, women and other communities. Workers, students and supporters are asked to leave work or school for the day in of the struggles faced by varying communities. Those who simply cannot miss a day of school or work have been encouraged to join after school or work hours are over as actions will be occurring all day in multiple locations. Fliers regarding the May Day General Strike call for “No work; No school; No shopping; No banking; and No chores.” It is being advertised as “a day without the 99%.” In an -related publication called “Tidal,” organizers further explained the purpose of the General Strike. In one particular article titled “General Strike,” the writer says that this General Strike will be geared toward corporate greed as Occupy Wall Street members view it as the cause of indefinite foreclosures, bank bailouts, corporatization of the education system, and decimated healthcare among other issues. This leads us to assess that banks will likely targeted by May Day-related protest activity. Another article highlights several key issues that will be part of the General Strike, highlighted below:  Student Strike: According to the article, student debt in the US will rise above $1 trillion this year. Students have been strongly encouraged to leave school for the day and march to refuse debt and tuition increases. Even students who are not in debt have been asked to come out for the day to show their support, as well as faculty members whose wages are being lowered due to budget cuts.

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 Women’s Strike: The article cites a United Nations report which says women perform 66% of the world’s work, but only earn 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of its property. Organizers say the General Strike on May 1st is an opportunity for women to join in together in protest of the “extreme damage and oppression” done by capitalism. The oppression has been described as the division of the community by gender and the exploitation of women.  Housing Strike: As foreclosures have been of much focus to the , housing will be one of the key platforms for the General Strike. The article uses New York City as an example, and says that 10,000 homeless families sleep in shelters every night, yet in Brooklyn alone there are 80,000 vacant apartment units and homes. They use another statistic as well to demonstrate the current housing crisis. According to national statistics, a family must earn $16.31 per hour of work to be able to afford housing at the national average fair market rent. However, federal minimum wage is only $7.25. The Occupy movement places the blame on Wall Street banks and corporate greed for the current foreclosure and housing crisis.

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Planned Actions List of Participating Cities and Planned Actions Please see the attachment beginning on page 6 for a list of May 1st planned actions. Participating Groups Apart from the Occupy movement groups, we have seen the following organizations and community groups listed as participants:

 99% Spring  National Nurses United  American Federation of Labor and  Peaceful Uprising! Congress of Industrial Organizations  Rainforest Action Network (RAN) (AFL-CIO)  Revolutionary Students Union (RSU)  ALEC Welcoming Committee  Service Employees International Union  Anarchist People of Color (APOC)  Student Anarchist Praxis Collision  Anarchist Black Cross (ABC) (SAPC)  ANSWER Coalition  Teamsters  Freedom Road Socialist Organization  Teachers Unions (FRSO)  United for Social Justice (USJ)  Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)  Workers International League  Jobs with Justice  Workers United  Midwest Antiwar Mobilization Network

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Analysis of the General Strike Overall, we see that the call for a General Strike on May 1st has been widely embraced by Occupy movements across the country. The day will serve as an indicator of the Occupy movement’s ability to mobilize large numbers, like they had in the first few months of the movement. It will also showcase how well the winter efforts to reorganize have strengthened the movement given the lack of Occupy encampment sites. Occupy groups are taking advantage of a day historically known for rallies. With their involvement, we expect a significant increase in participation at May 1st rallies. Potential Tactics Occupy Wall Street in New York released an article in March that outlines six ways for individuals to get involved in the General Strike (available here). For your convenience, a brief outline is provided below: 1. Work With Your Local Occupy 2. Spread the Word On Social Media 3. Start an Affinity Group 4. Join the General Strike Conference Calls 5. Talk to Labor 6. Organize Your Workplace, Campus, or Community Among these items is a nationwide tactic that we have been seeing – the formation of affinity groups. Affinity groups are small groups of people that plan autonomous actions in their respective cities acting as a force multiplier for local Occupy movements. They typically carry out simultaneous actions at multiple targets. These groups increase the effectiveness of their actions while remaining fairly discrete in their planning. This provides a challenge to both local law enforcement and private security teams. Most activist groups have been planning for the May 1st General Strike for months. We assess that groups are practicing strong operational security as we are mainly seeing general plans with little to no information regarding specific targets of protest activity. We anticipate that during the lead-up to May Day, more specific plans will emerge. There is the potential for the following tactics to occur:

 School walk-outs, staying home from work, no shopping  Various marches/rallies taking place throughout the day or week leading up to May 1st o Most of these actions appear to be traditional marches/rallies. o Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Chicago have each been providing training in “clown- inspired” march tactics, defined as the theatrical movements of a circus clown. Tactics include melting down (falling to the floor) and moving in unison with linked arms.  Create havoc for mass transportation o Plans in New York City include targeting bridges, tunnels and the subway system to prevent commuters from getting to work/school. A blog posting regarding these plans is available here.  Civil disobedience focused on retail bank branches o Potential for blocking entrances to banks and financial institutions

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o Random acts of vandalism . We haven’t seen these tactics explicitly mentioned, but we anticipate these types of actions will occur in multiple cities.  Community outreach including leafleting and approaching commercial bank customers to spread their messages At this time, there are no open calls for violence or black bloc-type activity. Noted is how the Occupy movement has carried out these types of actions for national days of actions in the past.

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ATTACHMENT: GENERAL STRIKE PLANNED ACTIONS

CITY MAY DAY PLANNED ACTIONS Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque protesters will participate in a “March to Cure Capitalism” on May Day. The plan is to meet at 4:30p at University of New Mexico Lobo Park (Central & University) to march to Robinson Park. , GA is planning actions for “May Day March” from 11:00a to 10:00p starting at (91 Peachtree Street NE). 11:00a-1:00p: The group will march from Woodruff Park and head to the MLK Jr. Historical Center downtown. 2:00p-10:00p: The group will go to Coan Park at the edge of Kirkwood for a cookout, workshops, film screening, and other activities. Austin, TX 9:30a – 10:30a: “Rally against Foreclosures” at Woolridge Park (10th & Guadalupe) 12:00p – 4:00p: “International Workers Day Celebration Picnic” at Eastwoods Park (Dean Keeton & Harris Park Avenue) 5:00p to 6:00p: “UT May Day March at the UT Tower” (2300 Inner Campus Drive) 6:00p to 9:00p: “Austin Celebrates International Workers Day & March” at the Texas State Capitol (1100 Congress Avenue) Baltimore, MD 4:00p: March to “Fight Racism- Justice for Workers, Immigrants and Youth.” The group will gather at Read’s Drug Store (N. Howard Street and W. Lexington Street to McKeldin). 4:00p: March from the East Side of Baltimore (2224 E. Fayette Street) to McKeldin Square. 4:00p: “Rally to Save the Post Office” at the Baltimore Main Post Office (900 E. Fayette). The group will march to McKeldin Square at 5:00p. 4:15p: “May Day Bike Ride” from “the monument” to McKeldin Square. 5:30p: Rally in McKeldin Square. 6 Prepared by the MSA Research & Intelligence Analysis Team

Berkeley, CA On May 1st, Occupy Berkeley will join all day for the May Day Bay Area General Strike. Boston, MA 7:00a: Financial District Block Party 11:00a: Anti-Capitalist March from Copley Square to City Hall Plaza 12:00p: May Day Rally at Boston City Hall Plaza/ Government Center 2:00p: Solidarity march from LoPresti Park in East Boston to Everett 3:30p: Rally at Chelsea City Hall 4:00p: March to Glendale Park, Everett 7:00p: Gather in Copley Square – “Death of Capitalism Street Theater Funeral Procession” (Dress in black, be a mourner) 8:00p: Similar to 7:00p action; “Leaves from Copley Square and travels through areas of wealth and commerce Charlotte, NC organizers are reporting that they will participate in the General Strike by staying at home “or in the streets.” The only event currently being advertised for May 1st in Charlotte is a “Reform Immigration for America March” at 11:00a at 700 E. 4th Street. The group is reporting that they will be fighting “corrupt institutions, corrupt legislation and corrupters of legislation” from May 1st-12th. We expect to see a number of actions arise for May 1st as the General Strike approaches. Chicago, IL Demonstrators will be meeting at Union Park (1501 W. Randolph Street) at 12:00p to assemble for a march to Federal Plaza (230 S. Dearborn Street). There are no further details regarding other potential actions. Adbusters called for protesters to converge in Chicago on May 1st for a month-long of the city in time for the NATO Summit. Numbers for the General Strike will likely be bolstered due to the call to action issued by Adbusters and publicized by Occupy Chicago and . It is unclear whether the plans to occupy will come to fruition as we have not seen any legitimate confirmation of this.

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Dallas, TX Occupy Dallas is planning an “End the Fed” rally at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (2200 North Pearl Street) from 2:00p-6:00p. Denver, CO 12:00p: Rally in Civic Center Park “and make our voices heard.” 12:30p: March 1:30p: Return to Civic Center Park and occupy until dusk with teach-ins, music, trading stations, food and activities for all. 3:30p: “SEIU 105 Justice for Janitors” rally and march downtown. The group will meet in Civic Center Park. Detroit, MI 12:00p: Assemble at corner of Clark Park at West Vernon Highway & Clark Street (near I-75) 1:00p: Rally at Maybury Elementary School, 4410 Porter Street 1:30p: Leave Maybury Elementary marching on West Vernon Highway 2:00p: Rally at train station, Roosevelt Park at West Vernon Highway and Michigan Avenue 2:30p: Leave train station on Michigan Avenue 3:15p: Rally at Federal Building 3:45p: Leave Federal Building 4:00p: Rally at Rosa Parks Transit Center, 360 Michigan Avenue 4:30p: Leave Rosa Parks Transit Center 4:30p: Start assembling at Grand Circus Park for food and music 6:30p: General assembly at Grand Circus Park near the Hazen S. Pingree monument Houston, TX The group is continuing to plan for their May 1st actions. There are no specific details at this time, but they continue to hold planning meetings. Las Vegas, NV On May 1st, following the all day general strike, Occupy Las Vegas will hold a march beginning at 4:30p. The group will gather in the parking lot at Commercial Center at which point they will march down Las Vegas Boulevard to the Federal

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building. Group organizers have highlighted “member businesses within the commercial Center District.” It is unclear at this time whether the group will target the “member businesses” or if the businesses are cooperating with the occupy movement. Los Angeles, CA West Wind – Traveling east from Santa Monica to Los Angeles (14+ miles) Rally: 10:00a — Wilshire & Ocean Caravan begins: 10:30a 1st Flashpoint: 11:30a — Wilshire and Federal (Veterans Affairs, Federal Building, UCLA) 2nd Flashpoint: 12:00p — Rodeo Dr & Santa Monica Bl.(Beverly Hills) 3rd Flashpoint: 12:30p — Wilshire & Labrea (Bank of America) 4th Flashpoint: 1:30p — 6th St & Alvarado (MacArthur Park) March to Convergence: 2 – 2:30p 6th St & Main St (border of Skid Row) East Wind – Traveling from East Los Angeles to downtown Los Angeles 10:00a: Gather at Chavez/Atlantic, Hold speak out and discussion on Police brutality in the community. 10:50–Walking Procession Past ELAC to Belvedere Park where we Mount Vehicles 11:30a: Depart from Belvedere Park in Cars/Bikes/Trucks and proceed along Chavez to Obregon Park (Making a loop past Esteban Torres High School) 12:00 – 12:30p: Education Speak-Out/Discussion at Obregon Park 12:30p: Depart along 1st street to the West heading to Mariachi Plaza 1 – 1:30p: Mariachi Plaza–Drop off People, parks cars on street–Rally/discussion on Healthcare– 1:30p: Load onto Metro (Bikers probably will head via streets) to Union Station 1:50p: Gather at Park across from Union Station/Placita Olvera, Marcha to 6th and Main

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Convergence point by 2:30pm North Wind 7:00a: Panorama High School 8:00-9:00a: Hermandad Mexicana (7915 Blvd.) 11:00a: Van Nuys Civic Center 12:30p: Orange Line (Van Nuys & Oxnard) 1:45p: Placita Olvera 2:30p: 6th & Main South Wind – Traveling from California State University Dominguez Hills Begin: 10:00a — CSU Dominguez Hills Caravan begins: 10:30a 1st Flashpoint: 11:15a — 112th & Central (near Maxine Waters Employment Prep Center) 2nd Flashpoint: 11:45a — 103rd & Central (Ted Watkins Park) 3rd Flashpoint: 12:30p — 41st & Central (historic BPP shootout w/ LAPD) 4th Flashpoint: 1:30p — Figueroa & Washington Bl (LA Trade Tech) Park & March to Convergence: 1:45-2:30p 6th St & Main St (border of Skid Row) Madison, WI Occupy Madison will hold a “rally for Immigrant Rights and the Right to Organize” from 5:00p- 6:00p at the Wisconsin State Capitol, in honor of the May Day General Strike. Minneapolis, MN 10:00a: Opening action and welcome at Loring Park 11:00a: SEIU Action will meet at Loring Park 12:30p: Action will meet at Loring Park 2:00p: Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network Teach-in and Action at Loring Park 3:30p: Minnesota Immigrant Rights Coalition March will meet at Lake and Nicollet 5:30p: Food and Retail Workers United March will

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meet at Powderhorn Park 6:30p: Dinner and performances at Loring Park 10:00p: Noise March in solidarity with prisoners and ICE detainees beginning at Loring Park New York, NY 8:00a-4:00p: Midtown action staging zone in Bryant Park – Disruptive actions in midtown all day 4:00p: March to Union Square for a solidarity march 5:30p: Solidarity march from Union Square to Wall St. 7:00p: March to staging area for evening actions (unspecified) An updated OWS-NYC detailed schedule of events will be provided Monday morning. Oakland, CA 6:00a: Occupy the Golden Gate bridge Meet at 19th & Telegraph to occupy the Golden Gate Bridge. Buses will be available. 9:00 – 12:00p: 3-4 morning actions Decentralized actions leaving from 3 or 4 key commercial areas outside of downtown at 9am. These actions can take the form of “strike enforcement brigades” such as pickets, blockades, snake marches etc. Strike stations will be set up at each of these locations starting at 8am with coffee, snacks, water, propaganda etc. Specific locations TBA 12:00 – 1:00p: Everyone Converge on Downtown Mass rally from noon to 1pm at 14th & Broadway. Should include speakers, food, music activities, etc. 1:00 – 3:00p: Themed Actions & Marches Around Downtown After the rally, those in attendance have the opportunity to stay downtown or join one of the autonomous actions that will be departing from 14th & Broadway to continue shutting down various capitalist institutions in the downtown area. These themed actions could include a Reclaim the Streets Party, an FTP march, more

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pickets, etc. 3:00p: March for Dignity and Resistance All are encouraged to join the march starting at Fruitvale BART station at 3pm. 6:00p – 7:00p: Re-convergence downtown to coincide with the march arrival Everyone back downtown to rally and celebrate together as the March for Dignity and Resistance arrives. Philadelphia, PA All Day: “Occupy Philly will strike every bank in the city” 12:00p: People’s Power March through West Philadelphia at 52nd and Market. The group will be protesting a juvenile detention center, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Center and Philadelphia Police Headquarters. 3:00p – 7:00p: March, rally and celebration at the labor monument in Elmwood Park (71st and Buist Ave). Phoenix, AZ 5:00p-12:00a: meet at the intersection of N. Marshall Way/E. Main St (at the statue) No specific tactics mentioned, but protesters are asked to wear black to “BLACK OUT this city of exploitation, capitalist investment, consumption and leisure!” Portland, OR is practicing a high level of operational security and (as usual) has only released vague details regarding their plans for May Day. They are reporting that there will be a march and rally from 3:30p-5:30p located at the at SW Park and Salmon. The group will also show a movie that evening, from 8:00p-10:00p in (4th and Madison). Salt Lake City, UT There will be a May Day rally starting at 4:00p at the Salt Lake City & County building. Protesters will then march to the Utah State Capitol Building for a rally and speeches from local radical activists. San Diego, CA 11:00a: City College Rally the march to Civic Center

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12:00p: Rally at Civic Center Plaza 2:00p: Occupy Open Mic, Civic Center 3:30p: Teacher Layoff Rally, Roosevelt Middle School 4:00p – 6:00p: Worker Rally, Civic Center and March to Chicano Park 5:30p: Chicano Park Festival San Francisco, CA 7:00a: Golden Gate Labor Coalition Mass Action at Golden Gate Bridge 10:00a: 24th and Mission Streets; Immigrant Community Rally and March to 16th Street BART 11:00a: Westfield Mall, 5th and Market Streets; Solidarity Picket and Action with Janitors and Retail Workers 12:00p: Montgomery & Market Streets; The People's Street Festival! In Celebration of International Workers' Day, Immigrants’ Rights, and the 99%; A Day of Protest, Performance, Music, Art, and Culture 12:30p: 101 Market Street in front of Federal Reserve; Solidarity March 3:00p: Fruitvale BART Station, Oakland: Bay Area Unite, Regional March for Dignity and Resistance 6:00p: El Rio, 3158 Mission Street: International Workers Day Fiesta & Fundraiser for Young Workers Unite Seattle, WA 9:00a: Rally at Westlake, breakfast for striking students and workers 11:00a-4:00p: Hip Hop Occupies takes over Westlake! Come and enjoy music and performances all day. 12:00p: Rally & March meet at Westlake! 3:00p: Rally & March meet at Westlake! 5:00p: Judkins Park in the Central District- Yearly May 1st Action Coalition march to support “im/migrant” workers and families in struggle. All day: Band up, shut it down. Gather with classmates, friends, coworkers, confidantes to confront what destroys you. Act on your desires!

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St. Louis, MO Occupy St. Louis will be protesting Peabody from 9:00a-12:00p at the Peabody Opera House (1400 Market Street). The group has not released any additional details at this time however Verizon, SallieMae, Bank of America, WalMart and Wells Fargo logos all appear on their General Strike advertisement poster. Washington, DC There is an Occupy DC March on May Day. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 1 beginning at 5:00p to Wednesday, May 2 at noon. The starting location is Malcolm X Park at 16th Street and Euclid Street NW. The action will also consist of speeches and entertainment.

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