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While May Day traditionally has its roots in radical American labor history, over the past several years,the first day of this month has increasingly become the day marked by immigrant labor in the US to rally for justice. May Day in Los Angeles has its own brief and dramatic history – in 2006 hundreds of thousands of people marched and called for a one-day work stoppage; in 2007, a peaceful gathering of thousands of immigrant families resulted in a violent police crackdown and ultimately a $13 million settlement in favor of the protestors. This year organizers of various groups and coalitions have called several marches later today that converge on City Hall in downtown LA. Despite the overwhelming focus on economic woes, 2009 could be the year of much-awaited immigration reform, based on recent announcements by President Obama. ICE raids, deportations and detention centers continue to be the norm, and the DREAM Act which many hope will realize the educational dreams of immigrant children, is still awaiting approval. In Los Angeles and across the United States, hundreds of demonstrations and rallies are planned to demand an immediate end to the ICE raids, the forced separation of families, and some sort of path to legalization for the millions of undocumented workers.

GUEST: Rebecca Ronquillo, an Organizer with the the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA), a part of MIWON, the Multi-Ethnic Immigrant Workers Organizing Network

LOCAL MAYDAY EVENTS:

1. Los Angeles, CA March by MIWON & LA County Fed, 1:30 PM Meet @ Echo Park, 4:30 PM Rally & postcard action @ Placita Olvera CA
2. Los Angeles, CA Marcha – Cinco Puntos a City Hall 11 AM CA
3. Los Angeles, CA Marcha – Olympic/Broadway 12 PM CA
4. Los Angeles, CA Marcha y Mitin – 3rd/Vermont a McArthur Park 2 – 7 PM CA

For more information about MIWON, visit www.miwon.org, or call 213-949-7985.