May Day is traditionally the preserve of the workers, united, filling the streets with impassioned calls for social justice. Today, thousands are marching in our capital cities, particularly in Europe, speaking out against austerity and torn social safety nets. But on this May Day there's one protest that stands out among the rest.

The Facebook generation has its own spin on the day's events, and there's a special target: Britain's home secretary, Theresa May. She has championed a new UK law, due to be announced next month, that would empower the government to spy on internet and email use in real time – part of a slate of state snooping bills around the globe that has millions of citizens up in arms. In reply, Britain's tech-minded protesters have come up with:

(Theresa) May Day!

Protesters have decided to save Theresa May some trouble in her quest to snoop. How? By cc-ing the home secretary on every email sent out today. Yes, ideally, even that bland RSVP to your aunt's wedding should end up queuing in Theresa's inbox (it's only helping her to do her job, after all). Happy (Theresa) May Day!

With public outrage against the proposed law growing, reports suggest that May, prime minister David Cameron and his coalition partner Nick Clegg have been forced to slow their efforts to win unlimited web spying powers. If citizens pile on the pressure now, with an influx of emails, we can persuade them to back off this Big Brother law for good.

Take action: The selection of email addresses to CC into all of your emails is below:

mayt@parliament.uk; parliamentaryteam@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk; Ministers.HO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk; privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk; sharkeyj@parliament.uk;
office@maidenheadconservatives.com; public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

...And sign the Avaaz petition to stop the Big Brother bill. Here's hoping the Mayhem from this May Day will help the government see sense.