May 1 Designated 'Occupy Redlands' Day

Occupy Redlands has called for a general strike May 1, urging residents to stay home from school and work, and not to do housework or shop in local stores.

Billed as "A Day Without the 99 percent," the event is intended to show the 1 percent just how much economic power the rest of the population wields.

The group is asking residents to take to the streets at 4:30 p.m. and meet at the "," Redlands Boulevard and Orange Street.

Once gathered, the group will march to the city council chambers in time for discussion by councillors on whether to pass a resolution rejecting a Supreme Court ruling that corporations can be considered persons.

In the 20th century, May 1 came to mean more than just skipping around a Maypole, holding ribbons.

Nowadays May 1 is considered a national day for workers worldwide.

Around the world, organized street demonstrations and marches are held by working people and their labor unions.

May 1st is also a national day of action for many organizations.

Occupy Redlands, along with many other Occupy groups around the country, is endorsing a "General Strike," organizers said. The is to eschew work, school and capitalism in general by not shopping.

Everything stops for that day, organizers said.

Other groups are holding special actions throughout the day, including students, immigrants and the unemployed, those coming from more than 125 cities in the Inland Empire, organizers said.

The rally will focus on core issues that concern the Occupy Redlands group, including the perceived growing income inequality, the stripping of workers’ rights and expansion of corporate power.

For more information on the group and on the event, please click here.