Thousands rally in L.A. for May Day to protest immigration sweeps, high cost of living
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Thousands of people took to the streets in Los Angeles on Friday to mark International Workers’ Day amid heightened concerns about affordability, immigration sweeps and the Iran war.
Also known as May Day, the nationwide demonstration, dubbed “May Day Strong,” kicked off in MacArthur Park, where a coalition of community, labor and immigrant rights groups gathered before marching peacefully to City Hall. Members of the Los Angeles May Day coalition dubbed their event “Solo El Pueblo Shuts It Down” (Only the people shuts it down).
Thousands of demonstrators blew horns and shook cowbells as they held signs that read “Workers before billionaires” and “Justice for workers,” while calling for an end to corporate greed, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps. The crowd’s chants included “No justice, no peace” and “This is what democracy looks like.”
Though mostly peaceful, demonstrators in L.A. at times found themselves facing off with the Los Angeles Police Department. Police made a dozen arrests, mostly for unlawful assembly, but there were no reports of major injuries, said Los Angeles Police Department public affairs officer Jeff Lee.
U.S. recognition of International Workers’ Day, also called May Day, originated as labor rights movements fought for economic fairness by pushing for better pay and working conditions.
May 1 is a public holiday in many countries to mark International Workers’ Day, or Labor Day, when workers’ unions traditionally rally around wages, pensions, inequality and broader political issues.
The first U.S. rally was held in Chicago in the 1880s when workers were pushing for an eight-hour work day. Though not on an official government holiday, crowds have since gathered around the country on the first of May to honor the achievements and struggles of the working class.
In Los Angeles, past demonstrations have drawn hundreds of thousands of people who voiced their support for immigrant workers amid controversial enforcement policies.
Friday’s rally marked the 20th anniversary of “Day Without Immigrants,” which served as a general boycott in which more than 400,000 people participated to showcase their economic power in the U.S. and voice their opposition to a proposed immigration bill that would have made aiding undocumented immigrants a felony.
That 2006 demonstration happened two months after more than half a million people demonstrated in downtown L.A. against the same bill.
Much like the demonstrations two decades ago, organizers on Friday also 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.
In a statement released ahead of the rally, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) had called on Angelenos to join in the march especially at a time when “gas prices are nearing $7 a gallon and meaningful immigration reform has stalled from both parties.”
“Our broken immigration system is at the core of many of our political and economic challenges —impacting working families and everyday costs, regardless of political affiliation,” said Anglica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA. “In addition to our ongoing fight for workers’ justice and dignity, May Day is a celebration of unity and resilience — let it be a call to action. Because when we organize, when we mobilize, when we stand shoulder to shoulder, we are unstoppable and we can shut it down for justice and love.”
The demonstration also touched on various issues that Americans have been facing including the rising cost of food and gas due in part to tariffs, the war in Iran and immigration sweeps that experts have said contributed to a shortage of agricultural workers.
Police in San Francisco made arrests after demonstrators temporarily blocked a roadway at the international airport.
Videos shared on social media show demonstrators standing outside the airport’s international terminal chanting and banging drums before San Francisco police officers began making arrests.
Demonstrators, including airport union workers, gathered at the airport demanding better wages and healthcare benefits. Immigrant rights advocates joined in the demonstration to decry the presence of ICE at airports.
San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan, who is running for Congress, was among those arrested.
“Our workers deserve fair pay, fair contracts, and healthcare and benefits,” she told protesters before her arrest. “And we are demanding that our workers get those benefits and fair pay right now.”
Also taken into custody were San Francisco Board President Rafael Mandelman and state Sen. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park), whose district includes parts of San Francisco.
Videos shared on social media showed two of the arrests. Becker confirmed his arrest with local news outlets.
Airport officials notified travelers via social media that the international terminal departure roadway had been shut down because of “free speech activity.” By 1 p.m., the roadway had been reopened.
Times reporter Jack Dolan contributed to this report.
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