“A Day Without an Immigrant” May Day Actions
• Workers in Their Millions March for Rights
“A Day Without an Immigrant” May Day Actions
Workers in Their Millions March for Rights
Across the United States workers in their millions took center stage on May Day, united as one and fighting for rights. A powerful internationalist spirit was felt in these massive actions, in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and another 60 cities nationwide. Workers of many nationalities, from many sectors of the economy, many new immigrants, many old ones, whole families, contingents of high school youth, all stood together to say We Have Rights As Human Begins! No One Is Illegal! Reports from participants in all the marches emphasized the united and brotherly spirit that marked all the actions. With great warmth and joy workers of the many nationalities saluted each other, marched together and felt their strength as a powerful force for change.
Efforts by the ruling circles to split the workers, along racial lines, based on documentation, or whether foreign or native born — all were rejected. Millions together marched with great dignity and pride as workers. Many signs brought out that it is the workers who have built the country. It is the workers who are coming forward to make their claims on the wealth they have produced and to have their say in the kind of society they live in. While the ruling circles no doubt thought they could stir up divisions and strife among the workers, these actions brought out that instead, a giant has awakened. Workers are taking their stand united against the government, against attacks on their rights and for the rights of all.
Los Angeles saw the largest demonstration, filled with a determined spirit. The demand for General Amnesty was widespread, showing that the workers do not accept the government plans to document some while criminalizing others. The action was largely immigrants of Mexican origin, and had many cultural expressions of the peoples, such as bands, drumming and more.
Chicago and New York also had hundreds of thousands in the streets. These actions had large contingents from many nationalities including those of African, Irish, Polish, Palestinian, Haitian, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino descent. Puerto Ricans also joined in large numbers. Whatever the nationality, the feel was that of the working class, standing proud. It was no accident that these actions were called for May Day and the spirit was true to the internationalism of workers everywhere—united against war and reaction and standing for all of humanity.
Los Angeles
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