by Indivisible Park

Dear Editor, 

In an effort to share our recent activities and as part of another National Day of Action, a march and silent protest were held in Livingston on Thursday, May 1st from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Protesters met at the corner of River Drive and View Vista Drive, near Park High School. Organizers counted heads, and 200 people brought signs, high energy, good cheer, and their voices. 

The event, organized by Indivisible Park County, the Women’s Action Project, and the Park County Democrats, began with singing and a brief rally. Protesters then marched up Main Street toward Park Street. Those who could not march met the group at the corner of Park and Main with their signs. 

As protesters approached and reached Park Street, they began to disperse and stand in silence on the sidewalk. They held signs demanding a country that prioritizes their families over billionaires’ fortunes, public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, and economic prosperity for their community over free market politics. 

This protest was held on May 1st, because that is officially May Day and another day of national mobilization. Traditionally, May Day has been a day of support for labor unions. It commemorates a violent clash of police and labor protesters during the Chicago Haymarket riot of 1886, an event symbolic of the international struggle for workers’ rights. In 1894, U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed legislation to make Labor Day the official U.S. holiday in honor of workers. Today, many other parts of the world celebrate May Day to recognize the struggles and gains made by workers and the labor movement. 

In nautical and aeronautic circles, May Day is a universal distress call, an SOS. Given the level of distress the current administration has caused, SOS has significant meaning for us today. We might even consider it a call to Save Our Society. 

The organizers believe our shared future depends on everyday Americans fighting back. We believe each of us has a role to play—in blue states and red states, and as democrats, republicans, independents, and libertarians. We believe the current administration wants to divide and conquer us, isolating us one by one in an attempt to break down our resolve. But standing together is the only way to protect our families, our neighbors, our democracy, and our future. And we believe we will win! 

A core belief of the organizers is a commitment to peaceful, nonviolent, and respectful action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. 

For more information go to: indivisibleparkcounty@gmail.com. 

Peacefully, 

Indivisible Park County 

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