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May Day rally 2011 a dwindling reality
Despite a late start, the annual May Day rally got off to a fairly good start with more than 10 Unions represented.
However there was some concern for the way the annual event is being treated, given the huge divisions that have occurred over the years.
This year’s march took the traditional route leaving, Independence Ground, up Middle Street, onto Main Street, along Avenue of the Republic, into Durban Street, into Louisa Row, then to Regent Street into Albert and into the National Park. Once at the National Park the different Unions then headed to different locations where there were speeches by their respective leaders. The FITUG rally was held at the National Park, The Guyana Teachers’ Union Rally was held at the GTU Hall, while the Guyana Trades Union Congress was at the Critchlow Labour College.
Among the unions represented were the United Minibus Union, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, the Guyana Public Service Union, The Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union and the General Workers Union.
As the parade made its way along the route, most of the marchers swayed to soca music blared from giant music sets mounted on trucks.
The Guyana Teachers’ Union however, marched along to Bob Marley’s ‘Every little thing gonna be alright”, while the FITUG contingent slowly marched along to another Bob Marley song, “Who the cap fit let them wear it”.
While the music failed to bring across the message that should have been brought over the placards did not. Most of the placards carried very strong messages, some calling for a change of government, while others demanded improved working conditions, better wages and better leaders, among other strong slogans.
However, many expressed the view that over the years the May Day rally has become smaller and smaller. Mention was also made of type of music played by the various unions.
A section of the annual May Day rally yesterday.
“These people cannot be serious. They want people to take them serious and they walking through the streets dancing to ‘go-down go-down’. What happen to these song with strong messages, ‘Solidarity for ever’?” one onlooker lamented.
Another on looker recollected on the days when the Guyana Police Force was a part of the rally and at that time, the entire May Day rally was something serious that sent a strong message to the leaders.
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