Thousands Rally For Workers Rights, Immigration Reform
The projected 10,000 attendees is down from last year's 60,000, many of which turned out to protest anti-immigration laws passed in Arizona.

May 1, 2011


Tens of thousands march in support of immigration rights in Downtown L.A.

Thousands have taken to the downtown Los Angeles streets for Sunday's May Day celebrations calling for immigration reform and workers rights.

A projected 10,000 attendees are split into two groups with differing viewpoints on the issue of immigration.

The LAPD has asked Juan Jose Gutierrez of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition to self-police at the event before bringing in authorities should a situation arise. "We're working very closely with the authorities of the City of Los Angeles because we want people to come out here and join us with a festive mood, full of determination, [and] focus on the issues we want to highlight," Gutierrez told KTLA. "We want legalization for the undocumented, we don't want to see any more separation of families, and that's why we're asking President Barack Obama to use his administrative powers to do something about that pain and suffering that families across the land are having to deal with without any assistance whatsoever."

LAPD released a statement Saturday saying it will respect the marchers, many of whom are still reeling over after the 2007 May Day rally known as the "May Day Melee," when police dispersed crowds by beating people with batons and firing at them with beanbag rounds. There were no deaths, but hundreds of demonstrators and journalists and 18 officers suffered injuries. The city spent millions of dollars settling lawsuits from the event.

"The right to march, demonstrate, protest, rally or perform other First Amendment activity comes with responsibility which includes respecting the civil and property rights of all others. It is the goal of the Department to facilitate lawful public demonstrations in the City of Los Angeles."

The following streets will be closed between 6am and 5pm Sunday:

  • Broadway Avenue will be closed between Olympic Blvd and Temple Street;
  • Spring Street will be closed between Olympic Blvd and Temple Street;
  • Hill Street will be closed between Olympic Blvd and Temple Street;
  • 1st Street will be closed between Main Street and Grand Avenue.

LAPD released a statement Saturday saying it will respect the marchers, many of whom are still reeling over after the 2007 May Day rally known as the "May Day Melee," when police dispersed crowds by beating people with batons and firing at them with beanbag rounds. There were no deaths, but hundreds of demonstrators and journalists and 18 officers suffered injuries. The city spent millions of dollars settling lawsuits from the event.

"The right to march, demonstrate, protest, rally or perform other First Amendment activity comes with responsibility which includes respecting the civil and property rights of all others. It is the goal of the Department to facilitate lawful public demonstrations in the City of Los Angeles."