For several years, the Left Party in Vimmerby has invested in its own May Day celebration in Gästgivarehagen. Then the party also handed out its citizen award and this year it went to Inge Gustavsson. HERE you can read more regarding it.
But there was also a lot of focus on the labor movement’s big day. Lars Johansson began to speak in front of the roughly 50 people who were in the sunshine in the spring-scented Gästgivarehagen.
– Being able to have our own celebration is great. It is proof that you can change your own world and your reality in small ways, said Lars Johansson, among other things.
He then mostly touched on national politics and talked regarding a “cowardly attack” in Gubbängen, which many more than Nazis are cheering for. One response to that attack was to gather together on May Day.
– A clearly fascist policy is emerging in Sweden. The Sweden Democrats lead the development, but the other Tidö parties are more than happy to be led.
He also talked regarding how the current government wants to crack the free press and asked everyone on the ground to help newspapers like Syre, Flamman and ETC.
“Large and expensive white-collar organization”
After him it was time for Erik Andersson, who recently joined from V i Kinda. He stressed that it is currently a right-wing government that does not support the municipalities.
– After the Moderates have been involved in governing here for decades, we have our own backpack. We have a large and expensive white-collar organization, insanely expensive leases on premises that in some cases are not even used, a deserted industrial area and the highest tax in the county. But now we are prioritizing differently, he said, and among other things highlighted the work with the working environment and the number of sick people.
After his speech, there was musical entertainment from Linn Olsen’s side. Tekla Björkum from Ung Vänster in Västervik then spoke. She talked, among other things, regarding heavy cuts in the world around children and young people and what consequences this might have.
– It is resources at schools that are disappearing. It is sad that the cuts mean that you cannot support all young people, she said.
Liselott made her debut
Liselott Bertilsson, who has long been involved in V, made her debut as a May Day speaker. Her speech was largely regarding the upcoming EU elections. She wanted to see a significantly higher voter turnout than at the last election to the European Parliament.
– Do we want Sara Skyttedal or Jan-Emanuel? We can do better than that. The left-wing forces are challenging the right-wing nationalists and the goal must be that we can send two – preferably three – to represent us in the EU, she said among other things.
Liselott Bertilsson emphasized that the climate is one of the most important issues for the EU to deal with.
– The goals seem to be missed and the situation is urgent.
