May Day Shutdown!
Friday, May 1: No work! No school! No shopping!
Invite your friends, families, coworkers and neighbors!
Everyone can participate in some way!

National strikes are only effective when there is mass participation. While “the stated goal of this May Day Strike isn’t to solve everything. The organizers know that we don’t have the level of coordination and participation required for that . . . yet. The goal is to start building our muscles for the immense general strike that will be necessary to get us out of the mess of authoritarianism” (in the words of our friends at Rise and Shine).

So please participate in the shutdown in some way – big or small! AND INVITE YOUR FRIENDS! You encourage 5 friends not to shop. Each of them encourages 5 more friends not to shop. And so on! Let’s start building our muscles!

Below is a draft letter (which of course you can personalize) to help you get started. You don’t shop (or work or go to school).

Hi everyone or <first name>,

Just wanted to remind you that May 1 is May Day Strong/National Strike Day. The idea behind this day is simple, but powerful: no shopping, no work, no school on that day.

The goal of this effort is to pause our usual routines—and make a collective statement that demonstrates our fierce resistance to the current Administration and its devastating policies, which have severely affected our families, our communities, our democracy, and our standing in the world.

Historically, national strikes are effective when there is mass participation. And this one will be a powerful, nonviolent way of expressing our deep displeasure. Everyone can participate in some way—whether that means skipping purchases, taking a personal day off, or just spreading the word. 

I plan to participate, and I hope you do, too.

Please encourage everyone you know to join in. You’re welcome to personalize this letter and send it to family, friends, and neighbors.

Thanks for your thoughtful response.