Mass Mobilization Planned for May Day in MacArthur Park
On Friday, MacArthur Park will host a significant gathering for May Day, with hundreds of groups expected to come together and thousands of participants anticipated. The rally is set to commence at 10 a.m. with a series of speakers, followed by a march to City Hall around noon.
Community Solidarity in Focus
Victor Naro, project director for the UCLA James Lawson Jr. Worker Justice Center, emphasized that the Westlake area has a rich history of celebrating International Labor Day. He expressed optimism about the upcoming event, stating that May Day provides a vital opportunity for solidarity among various communities.
Diverse Advocacy Groups Unite
Advocacy organizations representing a wide array of interests, including immigrant rights, housing justice, LGBTQ rights, and economic equity, will join forces to champion workers’ rights. Naro noted the significant importance of inclusivity in this year’s march, highlighting its distinctiveness compared to past events.
Focus on Safety for Undocumented Immigrants
Ensuring the safety of undocumented immigrants is a top priority for organizers, who are taking measures to promote a secure and welcoming environment. Naro critiqued the current administration’s lack of understanding regarding the challenges faced by these communities.
Call for Action Through Boycott
The event, branded with the slogan “Solo El Pueblo Closed – No Work, No School, No Shopping,” will culminate in Gloria Molina Grand Park at the foot of City Hall. This year’s May Day also commemorates the 20th anniversary of La Gran Marcha, when millions protested against legislation aimed at criminalizing illegal immigration.
Memories of Past Participation Inform Present Action
Supermarket worker Juan Aguilar, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 and participated in the 2006 march in Los Angeles, reflected on the changes in the atmosphere surrounding these events. While he recalls feeling secure and empowered at previous rallies, he noted an increase in fear within the community today, where potential threats loom in various aspects of life.
A New Contribution to the Movement
This year’s rally marks the first for Jay Lee, a Korean-American who sees the labor movement as essential to shaping immigration and identity within the Korean community. With South Korea recently declaring May 1 as a mandatory holiday for all workers, Lee believes this year’s May Day carries unique significance. He envisions a united front, declaring that participants from different ethnic backgrounds, including Black, Latino, and Filipino groups, will march together in solidarity.
