Join us on May 1st to celebrate International Workers Day - Help us mobilize thousands of workers

Dear Friend and colleague:

We write today on behalf of the May 1^st Coalition – a group of more than a dozen community-based organizations from Boston, Chelsea, East Boston, Everett and Revere. Together, our member groups have a long history of organizing among and providing services for immigrants and low-income workers throughout Eastern Massachusetts and beyond – and each year, we coordinate the May 1^st International Workers' Day march and rally.

With roots in the American struggle for the eight-hour work day, International Workers' Day is celebrated in more than 80 countries around the world as a day to commemorate the ongoing fight for workers' rights. Immigrant communities, labor unions and worker advocates across the world come together each year on May 1^st to demand fair wages, safe working conditions and dignity in the workplace and community at large.

The Massachusetts celebration, now in its 13^th year, comes as workers and families of all backgrounds face unprecedented political challenges at the state and federal level – on issues ranging from budget cuts to immigration reform.

We need your support to make the International Workers' Day celebration a success, and ask your organization or company to sponsor this year's event. There are several ways you can sponsor the 2013 march and rally:

1.       Making a donation to help defray the costs of the event. Checks can be made out to our fiscal sponsor, Chelsea Collaborative, with "May 1st Coalition" in the memo   

          field.

2.       Publicize the event among your members or customers. Posters and flyers are available for distribution at meetings, gatherings or even in a store-front window.

3.       Mobilize members or activists for the march and rally on May 1, 2013. We're happy to provide template emails or other materials to help in your outreach.

This year, hundreds of Boston-area residents will take to the streets with a shared demand: "Stop the attacks on working families – It's time to invest in our communities!" Labor unions, faith organizations, immigrant rights groups and community allies will march from Boston, Chelsea, Everett and Revere – coming together for a massive rally at Liberty Plaza in East Boston's Central Square Park.  Details are included in the attached flyer.

We ask that you confirm your sponsorship or pledge of a financial contribution toward the 2013 International Workers Day celebration by Friday, April 26^th to ensure we can list your company or organization in event materials. Please contact Yessenia Alfaro at (617) 889-6080 or YesseniaA@chelseacollab.org with any questions you may have. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support and solidarity!

In solidarity,