MAY DAY: Flowers, dance, and solidarity

Dear friends and neighbors,

At the beginning of May the Romans celebrated Flora , the goddess of flowers, the Celts celebrated the arrival of Summer with Beltine (“the lucky fire”), and folks in the Northern hemisphere celebrated the arriving warmth of the season by adorning their homes with flowers, dancing at May Poles, and offering their neighbors flowers and sweets in “May baskets.” May Day also evolved in the 1900s into International Workers Day, honoring the struggle of workers in Chicago and the need for solidarity among all workers of the world.

Even in the midst of COVID-19, I embrace the joy and meaning of May Day by:

Displaying the flowers my Italian grandmother liked most on the door of my home.
Celebrating the “lucky fire” for justice I inherited from my Irish grandfather.
Dancing with gratitude for my life and for all my fellow human beings.
Leaving a May basket filled with flowers and sweets at the doorstep of a neighbor, and
Supporting and standing in solidarity with the essential workers who are striking at Amazon, Whole Foods, Target and Instacart. I will not cross their picket lines. These brave workers deserve more safety and fair compensation from their employers.

May you also have a beautiful and meaningful May Day!

Gayle McLaughlin

Richmond Mayor 2007-2015

Richmond City Council Candidate 2020

(510) 929-2200