En Chile actual, las tensiones entre inmigrantes y trabajadores nacionales son un factor que puede dividir al movimiento sindical, y hay fuerzas políticas de derecha que usan la xenofobia para incitar el odio en contra los inmigrantes, sobre todo los de raza negra o indígena. Para lograr la justicia social (y vale recordar que el objetivo de los manifestantes del 1 de mayo de 1886—la jornada laboral de ocho horas, y la semana de 40 horas—aún no se ha logrado en Chile), hay que resistir estos intentos de división.
David Allen Harvey
Todos ya conocen el Primero de Mayo como el Día del Trabajador: una fecha para marchas, discursos y, a veces, para disturbios y enfrentamientos entre el pueblo y la policía. Pero la mayoría de las personas desconocen los orígenes de este feriado, pese a que su historia aún tiene mucho para enseñarnos en el siglo veintiuno.
Los hechos ocurrieron en el año 1880, durante lo que se ha llamado la Segunda Revolución Industrial, dominada por los ferrocarriles, las grandes empresas mineras, y el capitalismo financiero; una integración entre los bancos internacionales y las grandes empresas industriales. Entre las nuevas urbes creadas por el flujo de capitales, comodidades, e inmigrantes, aparece la ciudad de Chicago, metrópolis del nuevo Oeste norteamericano que, en pocos años, se presentaría al mundo como sede de la Exposición Universal de 1892. Era una ciudad de humo y acero, de mataderos donde el ganado del gran Oeste era procesado para el consumo nacional, y de fábricas y poblaciones de obreros inmigrantes, cuyas miserables condiciones de vida después serían documentadas en la novela The Jungle (La Selva) del escritor socialista Upton Sinclair. Pese a que la Asociación Obrera Internacional de Karl Marx había colapsado durante la década anterior, el socialismo y el sindicalismo continuaron creciendo en ambos lados del océano Atlántico. Lucharon por los derechos de los obreros, por una sociedad más justa, por condiciones laborales más conducentes a una vida plena. Para los Knights of Labor (Los caballeros del trabajo), una de las principales organizaciones sindicales de los EE.UU. en esos años, el objetivo principal era la jornada laboral de ocho horas. Desde 1884, los organizadores sindicales, entre ellos el periodista radical Albert Parsons, planificaron una gran jornada de protestas para el 1 de mayo de 1886, para exigir el cumplimiento de esta reforma.
Llegó la fecha anunciada, y una marcha multitudinaria de ochenta mil obreros desfiló por Michigan Avenue, la alameda principal de Chicago, en orden y tranquilidad. Pero al terminar la marcha, muchos de los obreros, quienes habían venido desde otras partes, decidieron quedarse en Chicago para apoyar la huelga de la empresa de maquinarias agrícolas McCormick. El 3 de mayo, hubo enfrentamientos violentos entre policías y huelguistas, donde resultó muerto un obrero y varios otros lesionados. Los organizadores convocaron una manifestación de protesta para el día siguiente en Haymarket Square (Plaza del mercado de paja).
Esta vez, al contraste del desfile pacífico del primero de mayo, el ambiente estaba lleno de tensión, aunque los organizadores llamaron a la calma. Pero las autoridades municipales y la grand burguesía industrial de la ciudad ya estaban hartos de movilizaciones obreras, y llegaron los policías para despejar con fuerza la plaza Haymarket. Alguien entre la muchedumbre (nunca se comprobó quién fue) lanzó una bomba contra la policía, y luego volaron disparos de un lado y de otro. Cuando la lucha finalmente terminó, siete policías resultaron muertos.
Entre tanta confusión, la identificación de los verdaderos culpables fue imposible, pero las fuerzas de orden exigieron un castigo ejemplar para evitar la repetición de tales desórdenes. Fueron detenidos ocho líderes sindicales, la mayoría de los cuales eran inmigrantes alemanes. No había ninguna evidencia de su culpabilidad, y todos los historiadores que han estudiado el Haymarket Affair han concluido que eran inocentes, pero sirvieron como chivos expiatorios para la represión del movimiento obrero. Todos fueron condenados, y cuatro de ellos, incluyendo el periodista Parsons, murieron en la horca. Uno de los otros reos se suicidó en la cárcel, y los tres restantes fueron indultados siete años después.
El 14 de julio de 1889 (fecha escogida por ser el centenario del comienzo de la Revolución Francesa), delegados socialistas y sindicales de muchos países se reunieron en Paris para restablecer la Internacional Socialista de Marx. Uno de los delegados norteamericanos a este congreso propuso designar el Primero de Mayo como el Día Internacional del Trabajador en honor a los mártires del caso Haymarket, y así fue. A partir del 1 de mayo de 1890, la fecha fue conmemorada en muchas partes del mundo. Irónicamente, uno de los únicos países donde nunca fue designado como feriado fue los EE.UU., donde la represión antisocialista y antisindical siguió por muchos años después de los eventos ya descritos. En 1894, el entonces presidente Grover Cleveland estableció el primer lunes de septiembre como el Día del Trabajo en los EE.UU., descartando el Primero de Mayo por su asociación con los hechos violentos de 1886.
Aunque puede parecer una historia antigua, y muy alejada a la realidad de países como Chile, los orígenes del Primero de Mayo sí tienen lecciones para enseñarnos en el siglo veintiuno. Uno de los principales es la importancia de la solidaridad de la clase obrera por sobre las diferencias nacionales, étnicas, y raciales. Como ya fue señalado, la mitad de los mártires del caso Haymarket eran trabajadores inmigrantes (como también fueron Sacco y Vanzetti, dos otras víctimas de la represión antisindical en el año 1921). Otra de los protagonistas del caso Haymarket fue Lucy Parsons (la esposa de Albert, también una activista sindical importante), una mulata que había nacido esclava diez años antes de la Guerra Civil Norteamericana. Protegida (o tal vez ninguneada) por su género, Lucy escapó de la horca que le robó a su marido, y militaría durante medio siglo más en varios movimientos sindicales y anarquistas de los EE.UU. En las décadas posteriores al caso Haymarket, el gobierno y el patronaje de los EE.UU. aprovecharon las diferencias raciales y nacionales para dividir a la clase obrera y debilitar al movimiento sindical, con consecuencias que se sienten hasta el presente.
En Chile actual, las tensiones entre inmigrantes y trabajadores nacionales son un factor que puede dividir al movimiento sindical, y hay fuerzas políticas de derecha que usan la xenofobia para incitar el odio en contra los inmigrantes, sobre todo los de raza negra o indígena. Para lograr la justicia social (y vale recordar que el objetivo de los manifestantes del 1 de mayo de 1886—la jornada laboral de ocho horas, y la semana de 40 horas—aún no se ha logrado en Chile), hay que resistir estos intentos de división. El mismo Karl Marx, al final del Manifiesto comunista, proclamó, “¡Proletarios del mundo, únanse!” O para decirlo en buen chileno, “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!”
75 comentarios en “¡Proletarios del mundo, únanse! La historia del Primero de Mayo”
I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
I have recently started a blog, the info you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting. «The reason people sweat is so they won’t catch fire when making love.» by Don Rose.
I am continually searching online for tips that can aid me. Thanks!
I and my buddies have already been checking the best recommendations found on the blog and so unexpectedly came up with a horrible feeling I had not expressed respect to the web site owner for those techniques. Those ladies ended up as a result thrilled to see them and have in truth been making the most of them. Appreciate your truly being well thoughtful and also for considering such high-quality areas millions of individuals are really eager to discover. Our honest regret for not saying thanks to sooner.
Rattling nice layout and wonderful subject matter, hardly anything else we require : D.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting
a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info
to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our whole community
will be grateful to you.
Nestled in the heart of Polk County, the Lodge is the perfect retreat foor these seareching for a memorable escape from
the city.
Here is my website: mariz.bloggactivo.com
I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today,
yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you
did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
Hmm it appears like your blog ate my first comment (it
was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to
the whole thing. Do you have any tips for rookie
blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
My brother recommended I may like this web site. He was
once entirely right. This submit actually made my day.
You cann’t believe just how much time I had spent for this info!
Thank you!
At Chipotle, all hourly creww members are eligible for preventive health
care rewards —with no minimum weekly hour needs.
Allso visit mmy blog … 텐카페 알바
I am genuinely glad to glance at this web site posts which carries lots of valuable
data, thanks for providing such data.
It is genuine and legislations were passed more than the years tto
legitimize the company.
Also visait myy blog: 대출뱅크
Of the notable Ohio sportsbooks, the new-user bonus to pounce on iis SuperBook’s
incredible $1,000 new-player bonus.
Feel free to visit my homepage :: findabridge.com
This job will need preparing statements and audits, documenting transactions and performing finish-of-month tasks.
Also visit my hmepage :: 유흥알바
This bettng website also boasts a big reside wageringg section that covers a
lot of sports.
my blog click here
Debit cards such as Visa or Mastercard are well-known for depositing funds into
your betting account due to their convenience and wide acceptance.
my web site: read more
And Upgrade charges up to eight.99% as an origination fee, which is directly
deducted from your loan amount.
my page: 소액대출
If you like the notion oof prepping further meals, packing them uup and delivering them, this coulod be
a entertaining side hustle for you.
Here is my web blog: 유흥알바
Each Bryan and Spradley saay that they would have made additional
plans for their time off.
Here is my websitee :: 텐카페 알바
Betway’s in-game bettinmg function keeps bettors
in the heat of the action.
Have a look at my webpage … web page
However, you won’t be in a position to redeem any of
the other rewards shown in the menu.
my page :: web page
I believe people who wrote this needs true loving because it’s a blessing.
So let me give back and tell you my secret ways on change your life and
if you want to with no joke truthfully see I will
share info about how to find good hackers for good price Don’t forget..
I am always here for yall. Bless yall!
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long
comment but after I clicked submit my comment
didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that
over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so
she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with
someone!
Achieve access too exclusive VIP promotions, discounts, and additional when you join our rewards program.
Feeel free to surf to my page :: read more
If you would like to get much from this paragraph then you
have to apply such techniques to your won weblog.
Spin the reels of the hottest video slotss at a high quality casino web-site tto take avantage of lucrative payouts.
Heere is my site :: 바카라
OMG! This is amazing. Ireally appreciate it~ May I show my hidden information on a secret only I KNOW and if
you want to seriously get to hear You really have to believe mme and have faith and I will show how to get
connected to girls easily and quick Once again I want to show my appreciation and
may all the blessing goes to you now!.
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest blogs on the net.
I will recommend this site!
Highly energetic post, I liked that bit. Will there
be a part 2?
Hi there everybody, here every person is sharing such knowledge, thus it’s good to read this weblog,
and I used to pay a visit this weblog all the time.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog thus i got
here to go back the choose?.I’m attempting to find things to enhance
my website!I assume its ok to use some of your concepts!!
You ought to be a part of a contest for one
of the best websites online. I most certainly will
highly recommend this web site!
Licensed USA asinos have taken a webb page frm their international brethren by introducing bonus codes
on a widespread scale.
My webpage website
You could certainly see your skills in the article you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to say
how they believe. All the time follow your
heart.
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness
over that you wish be delivering the following.
unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have developed
some nice practices and we are looking to exchange solutions with others, please shoot me an e-mail if interested.
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing
issues with your blog. It appears as though some of the text within your content are running off the
screen. Can somebody else please comment and let
me know if this is happening to them too? This may be a
problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Appreciate it
This iis why South Koreeans would rather seek international sports bettin web
sites too bet on their favourite sports.
Feel ree to visit my site; click here
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
Established in 2004, BetOnline has been in the market ffor over a decade.
Also visit mmy web page … 카지노사이트
This paragraph will help the internet people for creating new blog
or even a weblog from start to end.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things to
enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
For most recent news you have to pay a quick visit world wide web
and on world-wide-web I found this web site as a finest site for hottest updates.
Usually I do not learn article on blogs, however I would like to say that this
write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised
me. Thank you, very great article.
I am really impressed along with your writing abilities and also with the structure to
your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it yourself?
Anyway stay up the nice quality writing, it is rare to peer a nice blog like this one today..
We’ve vetted every single operator and produced
positive they give a legit service.
Alsoo visit my web site: 바카라사이트
Prequalify now on the net for a personal loan it won’t influence your credit
score.
My blog 자동차대출
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this
website. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that «perfect balance» between usability and visual appearance.
I must say that you’ve done a very good job
with this. Additionally, the blog loads very quick
for me on Firefox. Superb Blog!
Nevertheless, the limit is restricted to $1,000 if your credit score is nder 500.
Here is my webpage: 신용대출
The rewarding bonuses are just the tiip of the iceberg
oof what Ignition Casino has to present.
My blog: 바카라사이트
Great delivery. Great arguments. Keep up the good effort.
Yes, you can win eal cash at oon the web casinos, just like you can at brick-and-mortar
casinos.
My website … here
Debit, Credit Cards and Diresct Payments can be employed
to make payments in the app.
My web-site … more info
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A handful of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?
As a lot more and much more students cram into universities, the returns
to higher education are falling.
My webpage; 이지알바
The Korean government has legalized gambling on a limited basis.
Feell free to visit my website – read more
And don’t forget to check ouut or advisable casino bonuses on at our favourite sites.
Visit my pag … carar.ssnblog.com
Could she turn tto her job as a digital projects
ligrarian at Kent Stste University, finiwhing her eight-hour shift
from property about two a.m.
Here is my website :: 여자밤알바
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is fundamental and all.
But think about if you added some great photos or video clips
to give your posts more, «pop»! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this site could definitely be one of the most beneficial in its field.
Superb blog!
Terrific article! That is the kind of info that should be
shared across the net. Disgrace on the seek engines for no
longer positioning this publish higher! Come on over and seek advice from my site
. Thank you =)
Greetings I am so grateful I found your blog, I really found
you by mistake, while I was browsing on Aol for something
else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the
minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please
do keep up the excellent jo.
he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout
of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve
got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could
connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?
My brother recommended I might like this website.
He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply
how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Thanks to my father who stated to me about this website, this web site is actually awesome.
A mega LEGO set will keep me occupied for hours.
quality Lego Brick projects These Lego sets are
like windows into another world. These sets allow us to
travel back in time, or explore fantasy worlds by connecting the bricks.
Lego has revived my love of storytelling and imaginative
games as an adult. This is a great reminder that you’re never too young to let
your inner child out.
Thanks very nice blog!
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if
that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and
look forward to new posts.
I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!!
I absolutely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have
you book-marked to look at new things you post…
Hey there, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog site in Firefox, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, fantastic blog!
Hello there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!