Press Release
UFCW LOCAL 770
A diverse coalition of more than 30 organizations, the Los Angeles May Day Coalition, organized and demanded visibility for the struggles of working-class people, immigration reform, housing equity, and peace on May 1st in the streets of Hollywood, CA.
Los Angeles, CA – As historic labor struggles rage on, attacks on immigrant rights increase, housing prices skyrocket and armed conflicts with unimaginable human loss continue, the Los Angeles May Day Coalition held the annual May Day march under the theme: “Solidarity is Power: The People United” marching and chanting through the streets of Hollywood, California.” The march and rally commemorate International Workers Day.
As the afternoon of a very busy Wednesday fell on Tinseltown, immigrants, workers, students, educators, parents, activists, and people of faith filled several blocks and marched in solidarity uplifting four themes: better wages, housing for all, a path to citizenship, the right to strike, and a call for a ceasefire in war-torn areas and an end to all wars. Los Angeles is considered the entertainment capital of the world and yet thousands of workers feel disenfranchised and unfairly treated by corporations that benefit from their labor.
Labor leaders and members from dozens of unions were represented and enthusiastically raised the issues and concerns that brought them to organize and march.
“We’re proud to be a part of this diverse coalition of workers and organizations because solidarity is power. On our route through Hollywood, we’ll be lifting the voices — Black, brown, immigrant, union and non-union alike — to demand an end to worker exploitation, like we’ve been doing since the beginning of the Justice for Janitors movement in the 90s. Over 25,000 janitors who are members of SEIU-USWW voted to go on strike against abusive contractors, and this year’s May Day coincides with the expiration of our contract. This International Workers Day we’re marching shoulder to shoulder with thousands of Angelenos to demand jobs with dignity, safe workloads, and living wages, but our fight will continue until we secure the contracts that truly value workers,” said Julio Ramirez, SEIU USWW Executive Board Member & Industry Vice President
As is tradition, immigrant rights organizations and allies also demanded recognition of immigrant worker contributions and sought solutions to nearly 40 decades of inaction on immigration reform.
“On this day nationally and internationally, we take stock of the contributions of all workers as well as recognize their humanity and dignity. There’s much work to be done on behalf of those who silently work hard but often get mistreated, paid unfairly, or are regarded as cogs in a machine. We are proud to join such a diverse coalition this year because together we represent strength and demonstrate that in a city as diverse as Los Angeles, we can achieve results by building coalitions and speaking in one voice for those who are most vulnerable. As CHIRLA we will always stand for immigrant rights, especially seeking protection for the millions of immigrants who have waited decades to be recognized with a path to citizenship. We believe in people power and today we join hand in hand with those who share our vision of a fair and just society for all,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, CHIRLA.
This year’s route changed from previous years, from downtown Los Angeles to Hollywood, the center of a labor dispute involving thousands of workers in the entertainment industry. The district’s LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez was available to welcome marchers to the area.
“May Day in Los Angeles is about building a better community for workers, immigrants, and all Angelenos. When we unite to fight together for a more just future, we show the true power of solidarity,” said Councilmember Soto-Martinez.
The march and rallies started at 2 p.m. with several speakers and cultural performances at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and North Gower Street in Hollywood and proceeded to the historic intersection of Hollywood and Highland for a second rally which ended around 5 p.m.
“Corporate America has led everyone to believe that they are too big to fail, that they have the power, but it is the people who have the power. We, the workers, have the power. When we stand together in solidarity, our voices can shake corporate America. And those voices are demanding to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect!,” said Marquis Jackson, a lead pharmacy tech at CVS and UFCW Local 770 member.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity at the bargaining table and within our communities is how we win. This May Day, we’re not just taking to the streets of Hollywood; we’re reminding everyone that our fight for justice, equality, and a fair share is a continuous battle, one that we’re steadfastly committed to until we achieve equity and prosperity for all,” Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. The Los Angeles May Day Coalition is composed of 50th Chicano Moratorium Committee, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), AFL-CIO, AFT 152- Los Angeles College Faculty Guild, ANSWER Coalition Los Angeles, CAFFWU, CFA/SEIU 1983, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Celebration Nation, Coalition of Labor Union Women- LA Chapter (CLUW), COFEM-Council of Mexican Federations, Comite MORENA USA, Communist Party USA, Community Power Collective, Costumes Designers Guild (CDGIA), City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez (CD-13), Democratic Socialists of America – Los Angeles, IATSE Local 33, IATSE International.- WCO, LCLAA LA, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, National Union of Healthcare Workers, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California, Promesa Boyle Heights at Proyecto Pastoral, United Union of Roofers Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 36, SEIU 2015, SEIU 99, SEIU 721, SEIU United Service Workers West (SEIU-USWW), Solidarity Projects, Strength Based Community Change (SBCC), The Animation Guild, Sunrise Movement LA, UAW 4811, UFCW 770 UCLA Labor Center, UNITE HERE Local 11, Women’s March Action.
Contact:
Bertha.Rodriguez@ufcw770.org