Oumma report from Parisian May 1st: between social justice, anti-racism and international solidarity

Oumma.com was at the heart of the Parisian processions on the occasion of the demonstration on May 1, International Workers’ Day. In a tense social context, marked by debates around social rights, labor reform and growing inequalities, several political leaders, activists and committed actors took the floor to express their concerns, their demands and their vision of contemporary social struggles. Between denunciation of capitalism, defense of social achievements and international solidarity, the speeches collected testify to a climate of strong social protest.

A defense of May 1 as a social conquest

Present in the procession, the rebellious deputy Eric Coquerel insisted on the symbolic and political importance of May 1st. For him, this day represents a historic conquest for workers who must be protected against attempts to call into question rest and social rights. He denounced the economic logic carried, according to him, by Emmanuel Macron, accused of favoring “a nobility of money” for the benefit of the richest. The parliamentarian was also alarmed by the deterioration of the economic and social context, citing the rise in the cost of living and the international consequences of geopolitical tensions.

Eric Coquerel pleaded for strong measures, in particular the freezing of fuel prices and increased taxation of large oil groups. He also warned against the gradual extension of Sunday work and the logic of work flexibility, which he considers to be a direct threat to the rights of employees and their balance of life.

The denunciation of a global capitalist system

For her part, Nathalie Arthaud, spokesperson for Lutte Ouvrière, delivered a resolutely anti-capitalist speech. She recalled that May 1 is not limited to the historic demand for eight hours of work, but above all constitutes a day of struggle against the capitalist system and the inequalities it produces.

According to her, workers around the world share a common condition of exploitation, despite different realities in different countries. She denounced the logic of war, international financial interests and the great economic powers which, according to her, prosper on the backs of the populations.

Nathalie Arthaud called on workers to go beyond national borders to develop an international class consciousness, pitting the exploited against the owners of capital. She also criticized what she considers to be “employer propaganda” around “freedom to work” on May 1, recalling that millions of people remain unemployed or victims of layoffs.

Palestine, anti-racism and social solidarity

Within the procession, several activists broadened social demands to other political struggles. A member of the A2C organization explained that this mobilization also made it possible to highlight solidarity with Palestine, anti-racist struggles and the defense of undocumented immigrants.

He denounced a government policy deemed repressive towards migrants and social activists.

Ritchy Thibault, spokesperson for the collective For a Popular and Social Ecology, described a profoundly unequal society where “a handful of wealthy people” concentrate wealth while a growing part of the population sinks into precariousness. He accused the government of trampling on social rights and systematically favoring the ruling classes.

A mobilization for social justice

Finally, lawyer David Libeskind welcomed a significant and relatively calm mobilization. He recalled the historical origin of May 1, born from the workers’ struggles in Chicago in 1886, and insisted on the need for younger generations to mobilize in the face of what he considers to be a continuing social regression. According to him, public debates now focus on questions of identity and security to the detriment of social justice. He warned against the gradual erosion of social gains, particularly regarding pensions and workers’ rights, believing that only collective mobilization could prevent further social setbacks.