Written by: Laura Place and Questen Inghram
Bellingham celebrated International Workers’ Day, commonly known as May Day, with a march of around 200 people that went from City Hall and ended at Cornwall Park for a picnic, free of charge.
Marchers chanted “No racism, no class, it’s time to kick some ass,” and “One solution, revolution,” and sung the union anthem “Solidarity Forever.”
The Whatcom Skagit Industrial Workers of the World organized the march, in collaboration with Familias Unidas por la Justicia, Washington State Labor Council, Community to Community Development, Western’s Blue Group, and several other Western students and community members.
Clara Everbeck is a member of the Industrial Workers of the World.
“We’re trying to bring people from across the working class, of all races, genders, sexualities and national origins to stand up for workers’ rights in general,” Everbeck said.
May Day honors those who gave their lives in the fight for better working conditions, Everbeck said. She said the Industrial Workers of the World is a labor union for workers of all trades and industries, including students.
“I think students are in a privileged position in the economy,” Everbeck said. “There are many people who don’t have the opportunities to get that full education that can give them a better place in the class system.”
One Western student who participated was senior Alexander McIntyre.
“I’m here to stand in solidarity mainly with the undocumented immigrants,” McIntyre said. “I feel like if we really want to make Bellingham as diverse and inclusive as possible we need to include everybody and make sure their voices are being heard.”
McIntyre said the City Council ruling addressing immigration enforcement and status was not enough.
“In all reality, it’s failing to meet the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities here, and so that’s ultimately why I keep on attending these marches,” McIntyre said.
The march is an example of how varying social justice groups can come together for worker rights, Brenda Bentley, a volunteer with Community to Community, said.
“That’s the wonderful thing about these grassroots, community-based groups… they all have ties and support each other, so there’s a good network,” Bentley said.
