Immigrant Protests, Boycott on Tap for May Day

Today is May Day, which in the old days, when labor had some clout in this country, meant unruly socialist rallies and general anarchy in the streets. In this more civilized time, we have learned to peg our obligatory working man's holiday to a long weekend, guaranteeing that most wage slaves will be home grilling rather than out seeking to overthrow their duly elected government.

Perhaps conscious of the date's history, many of the same organizers who brought us nationwide rallies for illegal immigrants' rights last month are urging a national boycott day by immigrants today. Immigrant workers have been asked to stay home from work and to refrain from spending money in an effort to show the impact of immigrants on the nation's economy. This will be accompanied by rallies in various cities, including Boston and environs. Some voices within the immigrant and activist communities are against this move, though, because they think it will not help the public image of the movement, which up to now has been very positive.

Bostonist can see both sides: On the one hand, it is true that as people who have committed a concededly illegal act, undocumented immigrants are wise to take a position of supplication. Bostonist thought that last month's rallies did a good job of that: Protesters seemed to be saying, "Look at us. We're hard-working families just like anyone else, so please don't make laws that complicate our lives." The boycott is a little more aggressive, since it seems to say to the country, "Hey, we don't just need your help - you need ours too, and you'll be sorry if you send us all packing." On the other hand, it is true that the nation's economy would suffer without immigrant workers, and maybe there's no shame in making that point in a way that might persuade even the hard-hearted folks who are immune to more emotional appeals. Dear readers, what do you think? Bostonist is especially curious to know your opinion not just on whether illegal immigrants should get more rights, but whether the boycott is a wise public relations move.

Also, don't forget that today is the 88th anniversary of the adoption of Massachusetts's state flower, the Mayflower.

Soviet May Day Poster, 1920: "May 1st: All-Russian Voluntary Work Day." (Bostonist isn't trying to say that immigrant workers are a bunch of communists, we just think the poster looks neat.)