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We are the 99 percent

Labor, Immigrants Rights, OWS Announce May Day Schedule

Posted 12 years ago on April 27, 2012, 1:34 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

may 1st coalition

Yesterday, a broad coalition of immigrant rights groups, community organizations, labor unions, and Occupy Wall Street activists held a press conference in Union Square to announce plans for the United May Day actions. For those who missed the conference, below is the press release containing information about some of the many exciting, low-risk activities taking place on Tuesday. Stay tuned for a full list of (permitted and un-permitted) events planned for May 1st in NYC!

Rally Organizers Announce Permits Secured, March Route Confirmed, Labor & Immigrant Rights Workshops and Cultural Performances to Take Place Throughout the Day

Tom Morello, Das Racist, Immortal Technique and Dan Deacon to perform on May 1st in Union Square

May 1st Coalition, Labor union representatives, La Fuente, New York Immigration Coalition, New Immigrant Communities Empowered (NICE), El Centro de Inmigrante, National Institute for Latino Policy, Mothers on the Move, National Lawyers Guild, Occupy Wall Street Immigrant Worker Justice Working Group, Occupy Wall Street en Espanol, Occupy Wall Street Latin America, National Lawyers Guild, Community Farmworker Alliance, Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Adelante Alliance, Jornaleros Unidos, Families for Freedom, Restaurant Opportunities Center-NY, Domestic Workers United, New York Taxi Workers Alliance, Laundry Workers Center United, Brandworkers International, Independent Workers Movement, La Peña del Bronx, Centro Guatemalteco Tecun Uman, Philippine Forum

On Thursday, April 26th, representatives of dozens of immigrant, community and labor organizations, along with organizers from the Occupy Wall Street movement, will gather to unveil plans for a massive and historic May Day rally to take place on Tuesday, May 1st at 4PM in Union Square. After months of careful planning, a diverse and united coalition has finalized plans to gather under the banner of “LEGALIZE, ORGANIZE, UNIONIZE”, demanding an end to the criminalization and exploitation of immigrant workers, and the stranglehold of the 1% on communities across the city, state and country. The program for the day will include community speakers, cultural performances, music, food, and celebratory activities for the entire family, including face-painting for children.

At 5:30PM, a spirited march will depart from Union Square for Wall Street, making stops along the way to target the corporations, banks and government agencies who have profited off of the harassment and deportation of immigrants and the attacks on workers rights. Speakers at the press conference will announce that permits have been secured and that coalition organizations are providing members as “pacers” (marshals) along the route to have a well-organized and safe demonstration.

The May Day march to Wall Street will include several taxis and a truck along the route. Workers from across the immigrant community will be participating in actions targeting employers who exploit immigrant labor, including restaurant workers, domestic workers, laundry workers and bakery employees. Ignacio Villegas, a pantry cook from Mexico who works at Capital Grille restaurant, calls on the immigrant community to join the rally, saying “your participation in May Day as immigrant workers is very important, because we live in the shadows and our working conditions are like slavery. Our presence on May 1st will tell the elected officials, bosses and other people in power that we are also part of the economy. As workers in the richest country in the world, we aren’t getting any of the wealth we create.”

Patricia Francois, a domestic worker who was verbally and physically abused by her former employer, emphasized that “May Day is a very important day because many of us are exploited and verbally abused and we need to organize to put a stop to it. Particularly in the domestic worker industry, where women of color and immigrants are exploited every day we must stand up and be heard. Far too long we’ve been exploited and today it must stop. May Day is our day!” Marina Diaz, an organizer of Centro Guatemalteco Tecun Uman said “Because of unfair U.S. economic policies our people are forced to migrate to the U.S. and risk their lives crossing the border. Every May Day since 2006 we have gathered at Union Square to demand legalization and justice for all workers.”

“On Int'l Workers Day, we will once again march with millions of workers and immigrants in New York and around the world to collectively fight for our rights, to demand legalization and to fight against and call an end to deportations, trafficking and other forms of abuses and exploitation by the 1%," stated Jonna Baldres, Deputy General Secretary of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON).

In addition to the 4pm rally, the May 1st Coalition will be providing a fully-permitted space in Union Square from 12pm on for community members, the unemployed, students and those who take off from work to gather and celebrate May Day together. The Occupy Wall Street movement will be sponsoring workshops throughout the day, providing legal referrals, “know your rights” classes and face-painting for children. Legal services will be provided by the National Lawyer’s Guild.

27 Comments

27 Comments


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[-] 5 points by Wiseman55 (9) 12 years ago

In the current era, corporations are super citizens subject to no laws or taxation wherever they go, while the workers who they displace are criminalized and made illegals. Freedom of movement - a right reserved for the 1%.

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[-] 2 points by ontheotherhandx6 (13) 12 years ago

nationalism is the antithesis to a peaceful world. we don't move forward by seeing other people as different from you based on what area of the world they are from.

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[-] 3 points by 0501Nameless (5) 12 years ago

RISE against the TYRANT!

[-] 2 points by freedomanddemocracy (72) 12 years ago

What happened to the organized marches to Washington D.C. and the halls of Congress tomorrow? This is where the laws are made, this is really the place where are the problems are centered, this is the place where we as a nation of voters can change the system and put an end to all this greed and corruption!

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[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

People do have the right to free speech and if that free speech includes a discussion of the rights of immigrants, good. No one has a monopoly on deciding what are the right policies and ideas to live and be governed by. This is free speech at work, not bitching. I don't consider your voice to be bitching, I consider it to be you voicing your opinion.

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[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

You did imply that anyone who disagrees or provides a view counter to your own position on the issue is bitching, which implies it is somehow less right when they speak, than when you speak. The current laws stands as it is. Got you. No argument there. But how is it bitching to discuss the merits of the law and voice an opinion on the matter. To practice the right to assemble and protest an issue. For someone with the username American12, you come across somewhat un-American in your attitude and understandings about the right to free speech.

[-] 1 points by American12 (1) 12 years ago

All right ya that probably wasn't the best choice of words.

[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Fair enough. Just trying to keep things to a civil level. I understand you care about the issue and that is what propelled the uncivil attitude. I am glad you care enough to say something one way or the other.

[-] 1 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Hardly an "opinion," these are RW talking points parroted by RW zombies.

[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Regardless of whether it is parroted or not, it is still an opinion being voiced. But, yeah, I know what you mean about the lack of original thinkers on the RW.

[-] 1 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

You betcha!

I heard that this was cancelled due to liability complications, but here it is: http://www.rockthevote.com/

Let's recommend it to our younger/newer Occupyers.

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Why would I want to recommend something that you heard got canned? I fail to see the merits of your advice.

[-] 0 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Not complicated.

http://www.rockthevote.com/ is a great site for new voters. Today on Randi's show she mentioned that it had been cancelled, I'm happy to see it's still in operation. Your concern for free speech informs me that you are an advocate of democracy, Voting is #1 in democracy. Hence, http://www.rockthevote.com/ ~ That's why. Do U C "the merits of my advice," now?

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Oh, alright. If any of you young people read this, be sure and check out this website. Sorry, not much of a salesman. You seem to have the pitch down better than I, so I will leave this in your capable hands. I am confident you can post the link on this website from time to time so people can check it out if they are interested.

[-] -1 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Unite and Win! Unite and Win! 2010 Never EVER Again!

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

See, you do that better than I ever could. Keep up the good work. I'm rooting for you.

[-] -1 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

Teamwork gets results exponentially. Possibly the reason many of us are here, "FYI."

[-] 1 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

Since when is cheerleading and rooting for you not supporting the team. Really, I do try in my own way. Perhaps I can help with a suggestion. Link to an article or provide a brief explanation behind the meaning behind the slogan - Unite and Win! 2010 Never EVER Again!

I know exactly what you mean and other politically aware folk would, but would every casual passerby or newcomer encountering that slogan even know what the hell it means? Food for thought.

[-] 0 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

You fascinate me with your particularly peculiar, dense indignation. Is this your "jadedness?"

When and who asked you to "cheerlead and root" for me? (No one.) Can you say arbitrary objection? I can't tell if you are a naive brat or a confused curmudgeon. Just stay with the free speech and democracy if that's all you can grasp without feeling threatened, or whatever that is.

I've written many articles on the 2010 election and the harm that petulant Dems who sat it out caused, some I've posted here. That "food for thought" is a long gone pooped memory. It was for you. Unity (teamwork) wins! Division loses.

Rock the vote is for newbies. I'm done explaining things for you.

[-] 2 points by JadedCitizen (4277) 12 years ago

I suppose it is my jadedness. Just yesterday, somebody nagged and complained about my groupthink mentality and now I have to listen to you tell me I'm not a teamplayer because I don't fit into some mold you like. Damned if you do and damned if you don't, I guess. There are an enormous amount of bandwagons people want me to jump on. Which one is the right one that will make the difference and change the world I wonder? If Rock the Vote is what you really think will make the difference, then promote the hell out of it. I'm still rooting for you.

[-] 0 points by JIFFYSQUID92 (-994) from Portland, OR 12 years ago

No, really, your fine where you are. Just fine. Really.

[-] 0 points by betuadollar (-313) 12 years ago

I'm gonna work the entire 24 hours...

[-] 0 points by Safe (-2) from Memphis, TN 12 years ago

No one should have to work. People like George Soros, Ted turner, David Rockefeller and countless others should sale their homes and cars and , anybody who comes to America should get free Homes and education . And they should not get paid but , should give their time To other immigrants to show them how to live in America, And if people think they should get more money than anybody else , they should have to be re educated.

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[-] 3 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

If you force the companies to pay the undocumented workers the same as the American workers then there is no incentive for the companies to hire undocumented workers.

[-] 2 points by American12 (1) 12 years ago

Exactly

[-] 4 points by GirlFriday (17435) 12 years ago

Then it stands to reason to nail those with the power rather than those that hold none.

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