Thursday, May 01, 2008

May Day, Law Day

Some are making the argument that May 1st is "Law Day" and in the same breath complaining about immigrant rallies taking place on this day (insinuating that said immigrants are by default "breaking the law" and hence, in violation of a sacred holiday somehow). So, here are the facts:


Law Day was created in the late 1950s, by the American Bar Association to draw attention to both the principles and practice of law and justice. President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day by proclamation in 1958. It is defined in 36 U.S.C. § 113[1]. May 1, which is also International Workers' Day, was chosen as Law Day.

Like Earth Day, Law Day is not an actual government holiday. In fact, few outside the legal community in the United States are even aware of the existence of Law Day. To celebrate Law Day, some local bar associations hold a luncheon, featuring speakers who discuss topics such as justice or the liberties provided for by the United States Constitution. Also, attorneys might visit schools and talk to students about the American legal system.

It is suspected that the date of May 1 was, in the context of the then-growing Cold War climate, chosen to deflect attention from the May Day holiday celebrated by labor movements around the world.

While,

May Day occurs on May 1 and refers to any of several public holidays.[1] In many countries, May Day is synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement. As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times. Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that it falls approximately halfway between an equinox and a solstice.
So, if truth be told, Law Day is an illegal usurpation of the legitimate holiday that is traditionally held on that day. Furthermore, it was usurped specifically to thwart the rightful recognition of the advancement of labor movements. And it is mostly known of only in legal circles. So obviously, it is the "legal" establishment within the U.S. which wants to interfere with the celebration of labor.

And guess who all of those "immigrants" out there rallying on May Day actually ARE. They are your labor force, of course.

So, if someone happens to wish you a "Happy Law Day", tell them what to do with law day and remind them that Labor is the source of all of their materialistic priorities and without Labor they would likely be lighting fires with two rocks.