“99 Picket Lines” Underway as Immigrant Rights Groups, Occupy Wall St, and Unions Gear Up for May Day

The 1% crashed our economy, foreclosing on millions of homes, destroying jobs, and wrecking our city budget. Enough is enough. Another city is possibe, but we must build it.

As we approach May 1st, we will be setting up 99 picket lines to expose, disrupt, and shut down the 1% who rule our city. The 99 pickets will be an effective way for people to plug into the morning activities on May Day. A few other pickets will happen in coming days to build for the May 1st, but the focus of this project is May 1st. This is an opportunity to fight back against austerity, union busting, the attacks on immigrant rights, and the entire system of the 1% rule with a tactic and framework that is in solidarity with the May Day call to action. The recent General Strikes in Spain and Greece show us that when we all fight back together, against austerity we are stronger. The picket line is a tactic with a rich history. It can be diverse and does not have to be symbolic.

How will we get to 99 picket lines?

Good question. We are off to a great start. Right now, unions, worker centers, community groups, and affinity groups are selecting and bottom lining targets. We are already over halfway to our goal of 99 locations. We have an outreach plan to encourage many more organizations to participate.

But in order to get to 99, we need more unions, community groups, OWS working groups, affinity groups, and workers to step up and pick a target.

Ready?

Pick a target you want to picket, ideally at 8 am on May 1, in midtown. Can you get at least 20 people to join you in picketing? Great! (We can help by publicizing your target, if you want. There will also be some upcoming trainings on picketing and mobile tactics.) If you do not have 20 people, no problem! Come to an OWS action spokes council to plug into existing pickets or just come at 8AM to Bryant Park on May 1st and recruit folks to join you. Either way, you are also strongly encouraged to participate in the affinity group spokes councils and existing May Day planning. The final council will happen on Wednesday at 6PM at 33 West 14th St. This tactic and project is in solidarity with the all of the exciting plans for May 1st. This action will be distinct but also compliment the amazing mass march from Union Square at 4pm.

If you would like to register a picket line and or have any questions or need support email: 99picketlines@gmail.com.

Let’s make May Day in NYC a day to remember!

WHAT: Workers across the city plan 99 picket lines leading up to and on May Day.
WHO: Unions, Occupy Wall Street – Immigrant Justice Working Group, Community Based Organizations, Workers’ Centers
WHEN: From now through May 1st
WHERE: City-wide
WHY: To highlight the connection between workers struggles across the city. To build unity for May Day.
HOW: For more on the 99 picket lines, see:

• Tumblr: http://99picketlines.tumblr.com/
• Twitter: @99picketlines
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/99PicketLines
• Email: 99picketlines@gmail.com

KEY PICKETS THIS WEEK:

• TUESDAY APRIL 24, 4-6pm - Gotham Garage 33rd Ave and Miller St, Flushing with New York Taxi Workers Alliance
• WEDNESDAY APRIL 25, 6-7pm – The Capital Grille 155 42nd Street, b/w 3rd Ave and Lexington, with Restaurant Opportunities Center