Thousands took to the streets in Los Angeles on Friday to celebrate International Workers’ Day amid growing concerns about affordability, immigration expansion and the Iran war.
performance, also known as “may day strong,” began in MacArthur Park, where a coalition of community, labor and immigrant rights groups gathered before marching peacefully to City Hall.
Thousands of protesters honked horns and shook cowbells as they held signs that read, “Workers before billionaires” and “Justice for workers,” as they called for an end to corporate greed, the war in Iran and massive immigration. The crowd’s chants included, “No justice, no peace” and, “This is what democracy looks like.”
Lawrence Herrera of El Monte, wearing a 1776 costume, confronts Los Angeles police officers after forming a skirmish line on Temple Street at Spring Street.
(Gina Frazee/Los Angeles Times)
American recognition of International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, began when workers’ rights movements fought for economic fairness by pushing for better wages and working conditions.
The first American rally was held in Chicago in the 1880s when workers were pushing for an eight-hour work day. Although not an official government holiday, crowds have gathered across the country on May 1st to celebrate the achievements and struggles of the working class.
In Los Angeles, past demonstrations have drawn hundreds of thousands of people to express their support for immigrant workers amid controversial enforcement policies.
A protester confronts officers in an LAPD skirmish line on Spring Street near a May Day demonstration in Los Angeles.
(Gina Frazee/Los Angeles Times)
Friday’s rally marked the 20th anniversary of the “Day Without Immigrants,” which served as a general boycott in which more than 400,000 people participated to demonstrate America’s economic power and voice opposition to a proposed immigration bill that would make it a crime to provide assistance to undocumented immigrants.
That 2006 demonstration came two months after more than half a million people demonstrated in downtown LA against the same bill.
Like the demonstrations two decades ago, organizers on Friday called for a general boycott — no school, no work, no shopping — in an effort to demand that the country put workers above billionaires by taxing the rich.
A large puppet made by East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, representing “Free the Land, Free the Water and Free the People”, arrives at a May Day demonstration near City Hall.
(Gina Frazee/Los Angeles Times)
The demonstration also discussed a variety of issues Americans are facing, including the rising cost of food and gas due to tariffs, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps, which experts have said are contributing to the shortage. agricultural workers.
Although mostly peaceful, protesters in LA occasionally faced confrontations with the Los Angeles Police Department. No arrests had been made till Friday evening.
