Send this page to someone via email

TORONTO – Members of Occupy Toronto are calling on workers across the province to take a day off and join a general strike on May 1st, to celebrate May Day and help protest alleged ‘austerity’ measures in Ontario.

Occupy Toronto demonstrators reportedly held a sign over a bridge in Toronto in recent weweks that prompted motorists to call in sick on May Day. “A good day to call in sick,” one sign read.

“On May 1st, 2012, inspired by 126 years of workers’ struggles, the Arab Spring, the Indignados of Spain, the global fights against austerity, and the Occupy movement, we take to the streets again!” reads the Facebook page event.

The sign also featured the hashtag for the May Day protests in Toronto, “#May1TO.”

Though Labour Day is officially marked in September, May 1st, otherwise known as May Day or International Workers Day, is a day that marks the struggles of union workers across the world.

Story continues below advertisement

Occupy Toronto is attempting to celebrate International Worker’s Day with a day of events culminating in a protest against austerity at Nathan Phillips Square.

Anonymous, the international hacking group, has also lent their support to the Occupy movement’s call for a general strike. “On May 1st, Anonymous will stand in solidarity with the Occupy movement and the MayDay general strike,” says a video posted by the group on YouTube, “We encourage each and every person worldwide to strike from work or school, to refrain from shopping, and to avoid banks.”

In 1973, over 30,000 individuals took part in parades during Montreal’s May Day celebrations.

Some large unions are also reportedly supporting the Occupy Toronto demonstrations on May 1st, including the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation District 12.