{"id":292157,"date":"2026-04-29T23:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T23:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/292157\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T23:07:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T23:07:09","slug":"advocates-call-for-labor-immigrant-protections-this-may-day-solo-el-pueblo-shuts-it-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/292157\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocates call for labor, immigrant protections this May Day: \u2018solo el pueblo shuts it down\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

National and local organizers are calling on communities to abstain from work, school and shopping<\/a> Friday in recognition of May Day.<\/p>\n

The \u201ceconomic blackout\u201d is modeled after January protests in Minnesota<\/a> following the surge of immigration enforcement and shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur vision includes an economy that works for everyone with a living wage, strong labor protections and programs that keep families housed, fed, educated and healthy,\u201d said Francisco Moreno, executive director of the Council of Mexican Federations in North America, in a Tuesday press conference<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The organization is one of more than 100 involved in planning a Los Angeles May Day rally with the theme, \u201csolo el pueblo shuts it down:\u200a no school, no work, no shopping.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep up with LAist.<\/p>\n

If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. <\/p>\n

This year\u2019s largest planned gathering starts at MacArthur Park, a longtime hub for day laborers and street vendors<\/a>. Last July, immigration agents in armored vehicles descended on the park<\/a>. The ongoing immigration raids<\/a> and city policies<\/a> have contributed to the challenges street vendors face.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting there really sends a message that we’re here,\u201d said Kristal Romero, press secretary for the \u200aLos Angeles County Federation of Labor. \u201cWe’re standing with this community, and if you take on one of us, you take on all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

May Day\u2019s history in LA<\/p>\n

May Day, sometimes called International Workers’ Day, started after an 1886 strike tied to the fight for an eight-hour work day<\/a>. The protest turned violent after police attacked workers<\/a>. In the 1990s, L.A. organizers started to connect the labor movement with advocacy for immigrant rights.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event also marks the 20th anniversary of 2006\u2019s massive rallies in support of immigration reform<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Romero said the Federation has offered training on de-escalation, conflict resolution and non-violent protests and that hundreds of people will act as \u201cpeacekeepers\u201d during Friday\u2019s rally and march.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u200aA lot of times, folks can get caught in echo chambers and it may really feel hopeless,\u201d Romero said. \u201cThe big point of these events is to inspire hope to show people we’re all here, we’re all fighting for the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Los Angeles County<\/p>\n

MacArthur Park<\/p>\n

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: March begins at the corner of South Park View Street and Wilshire Boulevard<\/a> and heads toward downtown L.A.
Organizers: Los Angeles May Day Coalition<\/a><\/p>\n

L.A. City Hall<\/p>\n

Time: Noon
Location: City Hall, 200 N. Spring St.<\/a>, downtown L.A.
Organizers: Union del Barrio<\/a> and the Community Self-Defense Coalition<\/a><\/p>\n

Boyle Heights<\/p>\n

Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Mariachi Plaza, 1831 First St.<\/a>
Organizers: Centro CSO<\/a><\/p>\n

Long Beach<\/p>\n

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: March starts at The Marketplace, 6501 Pacific Coast Highway<\/a>, and ends at Mother\u2019s Beach<\/a>.
Organizers: Long Beach Indivisible<\/a>, more details here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

San Fernando Valley<\/p>\n

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Northeast corner of Topanga Canyon and Victory Boulevard<\/a>, Woodland Hills
Organizers: Indivisible Woodland Hills<\/a>, SF Valley Brigade<\/a>, others<\/p>\n

Santa Clarita<\/p>\n

Time: 10 a.m.
Location: 24292 Valencia Blvd.<\/a>
Organizers: Indivisible CA27<\/a><\/p>\n

Additional May Day events <\/p>\n

The website May Day Strong<\/a> also lists more than a dozen additional events from the South Bay to the Inland Empire.\u00a0Know another event we should include? Email the reporter<\/a> for consideration. Please include the date, time, location and organizers.<\/p>\n

Orange County\u00a0<\/p>\n

Orange<\/p>\n

Time: 3 p.m. rally
Location: City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave.<\/a><\/p>\n

Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Orange Plaza Circle, Chapman Avenue and Glassell Street<\/a>
Organizers: OC Indivisible Coalition<\/a><\/p>\n

Santa Ana<\/p>\n

Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Sasscer Park, 600 W. Santa Ana Blvd.<\/a>, Santa Ana
Organizers: OC May Day Coalition<\/a><\/p>\n