New Orleanians march for May Day
New Orleans, LA – On a sunny afternoon, May 1, about 70 demonstrators took to the streets downtown for May Day. They marched from the statue of Benito Juárez at Basin and Conti Street to City Hall. The event commemorated International Workers Day, a celebration of workers’ and immigrants’ struggles for our freedom and dignity.
“No bans, no walls, legalization for all!” marchers chanted as they crossed Canal Street.
At the beginning and ends of the march, immigrants spoke out against discrimination and deportations.
“We are sick and tired of being political pawns for politicians. We are sick and tired of their false promises,” said Julia, a member of Unión Migrante. Like her, many attendants felt the need to build a mass immigrants’ movement instead of relying only on the Democratic Party. Julia declined to provide her last name due to fear of employer retaliation.
Union representatives spoke for workers’ rights. “A union means workers come together to fight for what we need. A union means Starbucks doesn’t get to push us around,” said Serena Sojic-Borne, an organizer in a Starbucks union drive.
Organizations hosting the event included Unión Migrante, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, United Teachers of New Orleans, Starbucks Workers United Poydras St. Organizing Committee, Puentes New Orleans, New Orleans Immigrant Rights Action, Workers Voice Socialist Movement, New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police, Real Name Campaign NOLA, Students United UNO, Loyola Young Democratic Socialists of America, and the Committee to Free Alex Saab.