In the northern hemisphere, the first day of May is a moment to enjoy the stirrings of life after winter. As International Workers’ Day, May Day is also a moment for waged and unwaged workers across the world to pause and celebrate our collective power. May Day is our holiday, all of us who stand on the side of the earth and the oppressed.
May Day is a day to recognize all who labour – paid and unpaid, formal and informal, in care work and field work – all of the activities that sustain us and our community. It’s a day to recommit to forging solidarity across borders against exploitation and dispossession. Above all, May Day honours the power of ordinary people, working together, to shape the conditions of our lives.
Things are getting harder. People are struggling to get by, the rich are getting richer, the ecological crisis is intensifying, Palestine is enduring unspeakable horrors, authoritarianism is growing more ascendant globally, and ruling officials are offering us little more than flag-waving and immigrant-blaming. In these circumstances, it’s all the more crucial to remember that collective struggle from below is a source of joy and the way that we win.
In previous years in Ottawa, May Day hasn’t been just a single day, but has included many different events, marches, celebrations, and more. In 2025 this tradition comes back! The month will start with a march on May 1st and conclude with protests of the yearly CANSEC arms fair. You can find participating events on the May Day Ottawa webpage!
The May Day March, sponsored by more than 20 groups in Ottawa, will be on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, starting at Confederation Park (Elgin St @ Laurier Ave). It will go from 5:00pm – 7:00pm, with stops along the route where host groups will share relevant local struggles. Find more information here!