Sacco and Vanzetti - Martyrdom of Workers

Speech by Dorothea Manuela from the Boston May Day Committee at the Sacco and Vanzetti Commemoration Rally in the North End, Boston. August 23, 2009

Today we commemorate the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti, two immigrant working men whose lives were taken by the state because they were radicals and foreigners. Sacco and Vanzetti are part of a long list of working class martyrs who died in the struggle against corporate greed and for workers rights. That struggle in various forms continues today, and we are animated by the spirit of Sacco and Vanzetti and must dedicate ourselves to a continuation of that struggle.

On this day, in commemoration of these martyrs we must send a powerful message to Wall Street and to our elected officials. A message that we will continue the struggle for a better more secure life for ALL WORKERS, native born and immigrant.

We demand the right of ALL workers, to a decent life, to join unions and to the respect due to those who create the wealth of this nation.

There are 12 million workers who contribute to the economy of the USA!

There are12 million workers who could and should enhance and strengthen labor unions making them more powerful!

There are 12 million workers whose only crime is their pursuit of jobs to improve the quality of life for their families!

There are 12 million workers and their families who face the threat of ICE victimization, detention, deportation and separation from their loved ones!

There are 12 million workers who are employed in the service industry, sweatshops, factories and other unpleasant jobs working under subhuman conditions for much less than the national minimum wage!

There are 12 million immigrant and countless USA workers facing the threat of homelessness, hunger and illnesses. It is time to take control of our lives and fight back once again!

Sacco and Vanzetti live in every immigrant/migrant worker, their families and in us. We too must continue to stand against the exploitation and oppression of workers until we are ALL recognized as ?workers of the world? and travel across continents without barriers or walls to seek work and better lives!

The Boston May Committee has established a Labor Outreach Committee to ensure the participation of labor unions and worker organizations. An invitation to our first meeting is forthcoming. Please consider participating in this important effort to make May Day 2010 a success. If you are interested, please contact us.

REMEMBER THAT, ?YOU MAY KILL A MAN, OR A WOMAN BUT YOU CAN NOT KILL AN IDEA?!

NO WORKER IS ILLEGAL!

NO HUMAN IS ILLEGAL!!

OBREROS UNIDOS JAMAS SERAN VENCIDOS/WORKERS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!

UN PUEBLO UNIDO JAMAS SERA VENCIDO/PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!!!

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!