May Day in Los Angeles: Thousands march for 'economic blackout,' immigrant rights

Protesters call for immigrant and voter rights

Labor and immigrant rights groups said the demonstrations were part of International Workers' Day, with events planned across California calling for expanded worker protections and immigration reforms.

LOS ANGELES - Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Los Angeles on Friday for International Workers' Day, transitioning from a rally in the Westlake District to a massive march ending at City Hall. 

MacArthur Park once again served as a central rallying point for demonstrations tied to labor rights, immigration reform and economic justice.

What we know:

The main gathering began at 10 a.m. SkyFOX over the scene showed tens of thousands of people gathered in the rally, chanting slogans and waving signs in support of workers and immigrants. 

Members of the Los Angeles May Day Coalition say it is made up of more than 125 organizations representing labor unions, immigrant rights groups, faith leaders, students, LGBTQ+ advocates and community organizations across the Los Angeles region.

The primary demands include a pathway to citizenship, affordable housing, and a "tax on the wealthy" to fund social programs. 

Unlike previous years, this demonstration is explicitly part of a national "No School, No Work, No Shopping" boycott aimed at highlighting the collective power of the workforce.

After the rally, the massive crowd set out on a march into downtown Los Angeles, walking roughly three miles to Grand Park across from City Hall. 

May Day: Anti-ICE demonstration at Home Depot

Protesters called on Home Depot to take proactive steps to protect undocumented day laborers from future arrests and deportations on Home Depot property.

What they're saying:

"We are here to say loudly and clearly that we are not afraid," David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International-United Service Workers West union, told the crowd at the MacArthur Park rally. "We will not be silenced. We must keep fighting against the authoritarian in the White House, and stand up against the corporations and their greed.

"... I believe in you, I believe in us and our ability to fight for change. I believe because I know you are hungry for a better future. We embrace everyone struggling to survive and raise our collective fists at injustice. ... We are the beautiful voices who cry out for justice, voices that together cannot be ignored."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Thousands rally for May Day demonstrations in Los Angeles

"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," stated Anglica Salas, Executive Director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).

"In addition to our ongoing fight for workers’ justice and dignity, May Day is than 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 backstory:

May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is recognized globally as a day highlighting labor rights and worker solidarity.

Its origins date back to the 1880s and initially supported the establishment of an eight-hour work day.

May Day march held in Boyle Heights

International Workers' Day is recognized in many countries around the world, with its origins dating back to the 1880s.

In the U.S., the May 1 date was chosen to commemorate a general strike that began on the date in 1886 and ended with the Haymarket affair of May 4, 1886, when a peaceful rally in Chicago's Haymarket Square in support of workers ended with an unknown person throwing a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the meeting. 

Eleven people were killed and nearly 200 others injured.