Groups met at Foley Square and Union Square on May 1st to reclaim International Workers Day and demand immigrant and workers rights. The passage of the Arizona immigration bill and the second year of the economic crisis mobilized hundreds of thousands in New York and around the country.
The stage was set for the onslaught of fed-up immigrants and workers to take the streets – poster and child in hand. This year’s May Day rally was particularly memorable for the scores of families and children that participated. Toddlers waved flags from around the world; kids of all ages chanted louder than their parents, they understand the real consequences of deportation: the breaking up of families.
The draconian immigration law SB 1070 recently signed by Arizona’s governor, is racist and indicative of the xenophobic and anti-immigrant movement spearheaded by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The passage of the bill galvanized thousands to pour into the streets in outrage, both in New York and around the nation.
We are now in the second year of the economic crisis, and despite the large bailouts that have been simultaneously subject to praise, scorn and scandal, “Main Street” has been seemingly left out to dry. Middle to low income families are still scrambling to make ends meet and bearing the weight of a 9.7 percent national unemployment rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
May 1st celebrates International Workers Day, that began in Chicago during the 1886 Haymarket riots where workers won the 8-hour workday, establishing better working conditions for their fellow workers across the country. May 1st is celebrated internationally except in the U.S., where it originated. Momentous in this year’s rally was the large support and endorsement of the labor unions, including TWU, DC 37, Workers United and ASFME.
“We’re going to make our statement regarding the solidarity with immigrant groups and reclaim May Day as a day where labor brings its issues forth in a very strong manner,” said Kevin Pat Lynch, director of organizing and legislative affairs at Local 338. He added, “Immigrant rights are workers rights.”
The 85 degree weather and the luck of May 1st landing on a Saturday contributed to the large crowds that congregated at Union Square beginning at 11 am.
The rally at Union Square was particularly festive and energized, imbued with cultural performances including Rebel Diaz and Immortal Technique.
There was a huge youth presence, demanding the passage of the DREAM Act and protesting Senator Schumer’s immigration bill.
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May 3, 2010 at 1:38 am
Benito
Eye of the Beholder: I will tell you what I have seen these last few days I saw our beloved Stars and Stripes flag, the flag from Mexico and some flags from other countries. I saw children, parents and grand parents together in solidarity, my people the working class, they may not be sophisticated but they got the message heard. From publish reports the demonstrations included both US citizens and undocumented workers. This brought me a smile because I always enjoy seeing brothers helping brothers.
This reminds me of a parable from the good book where a Levite and Priest come upon a man who fell among thieves and they both individually passed by and didn’t stop to help him. Finally a man of another race came by, he got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy and got down with the injured man, administered first aid, and helped the man in need. Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the “I” into the “thou,” and to be concerned about his brother.
You see, the Levite and the Priest were afraid, they asked themselves, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”
But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
As I see it, we should stand-up against a law is passed in anger and is against our Constitution/ Bill of Rights/ Declaration of Independence and is targets a specific group.
God bless all my brothers and sister that stood side by side with our brothers and sisters in need. When our judgment comes I know God will not discriminate by country of origin as men do.
May 12, 2010 at 3:21 am
ollda97
These are great photos. I am looking for as many photos as possible; here’s a link to mine.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2231480&id=22006730&l=13b03fe8ec