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Join May Day marches for immigrant rights

‘May Day of Resistance’ in Seattle, plus events in Yakima and Olympia

 

(April 26, 2017) — Immigrant rights activists, union members and community supporters are expected to turn out in large numbers for May Day marches and actions in Seattle, Yakima and Olympia on Monday, May 1, International Workers Day.

SEATTLE — El Comité and the May 1st Action Coalition are hosting the 18th Annual May Day March for Workers and Immigrant Rights. With this year’s aggressive anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration, organizers are calling for a general strike that day and the City of Seattle has affirmed that city employees can take an unpaid day off work on Monday.

“This is an international day of action and it is our responsibility to push back against the silencing of workers and communities by the Trump regime,” said Nicole Grant, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the M.L. King County Labor Council. “I’m grateful to the leadership at the City of Seattle for recognizing the importance of workers using their power by turning out on May 1st to stop the racist travel ban, the proposed wall against Mexico, and the deportations of workers in our communities. It is a day of resistance and a time for every worker to feel their power and use it.”

In addition to supporting immigrants’ rights, union supporters are planning May Day of Resistance actions along the march route to support workers struggling for economic justice. Here’s the timeline:

11 a.m. — Rally at Judkins Park, 2150 S. Norman St., Seattle

1 p.m. — March begins from Judkins, although many union members and supporters will gather at 1 p.m. at the Washington State Labor Council office, 321 16th Ave. S., so the labor contingent can join the march as it passes the building.

2 p.m. — As the march progresses, there will be a “Call to Care” at Swedish Hospital at Minor and Madison

3 p.m. — Another mid-march action will happen at the Amazon Doppler Building

3:30-4 p.m. — Upon march’s arrival at Seattle Center, cultural performances are planned at Fisher Green and are scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m.

For more details see the Facebook event pages for the march and the May Day of Resistance.

YAKIMA — The 11th Annual March for Immigrants begins at noon at Miller Park, will proceed through downtown Yakima before returning to its starting point at Miller Park, where there will be a program with speakers. The event will conclude at 4 p.m. Get details.

OLYMPIAThe Olympia branch of the Industrial Workers of the World invites the community to observe May Day AKA International Worker’s Day on May 1st from noon to 5 p.m. at Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE. There will be food, speakers, poems and music and you will be able to meet other workers. Get details.

The marches in Washington state are being held in conjunction with events planned nationally on May 1 to support immigrant rights. Other cities holding marches include Chicago, New York, Houston, Atlanta, as well as Portland, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego, along the West Coast.

 

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FIND OUT HOW TO JOIN TOGETHER with your co-workers to negotiate for better wages, benefits, and a voice at work. Or go ahead and contact a union organizer today!