In a city that's long been a beacon of dissent and activism, May 1st is an important date.
For more than a century, it's been observed by many in our union-friendly town as a labor recognition holiday, serving as an occasion for strikes and protests all over the city.
Racism and police brutality are in the forefront of protests this year, especially in the wake of the deaths of Ferguson, Missouri teenager Michael Brown, Staten Island father Eric Garner, and most recently, the Baltimore native Freddie Gray.
New Yorkers can follow updates all day from organizations that plan to take to the streets on Friday.
OccuEvolve OWS, Twitter handle: @OccuEvolve_OWS: Gathering at Staten Island Borough Hall at 9 a.m. with a pretty diverse agenda, including boycotting Staples and a "We Cant Breathe" assembly.
Disarm the NYPD, Twitter handle: @disarmthenypd: Assembling in Union Square at 2pm.
PSC CUNY, Twitter handle: @PSC_CUNY: the faculty and staff union for the entire CUNY system will meet at East 60th Street between Park and Lexington avenues, and begin marching at 5 p.m.
New York City's Central Labor Council, Twitter handle: @CentralLaborNYC: Rallying to end income inequality, beginning at 8 p.m. on the Upper East Side, outside of the house of Walmart heiress Alice Walton.
Free University of New York City, Twitter handle: @FreeUnivNYC: Hosting How to Survive in NYC, a two-day event in Union Square and Washington Square, focusing on the city's most pressing social issues in daily life.
And of course, search Twitter for #MayDay and #MayDayNYC for additional sources.
