May Day 2009: Calm and Focused

May Day 2009

More than 12,500 demonstrated in celebration of worker solidarity on May Day in the streets of Portland. The demonstrators reflected the diversity of issues as well as race and age. Young and old, parents who brought their children, workers, anarchists, socialists, anti-fascists, migrant workers, farm workers and students marched together in a show of solidarity and common interests. Latinos called for an end to ICE raids and persecution of immigrants, workers demanded universal health care, money for jobs, no more bailouts to greedy Wall Street crooks, and students wanted more funding for a better education. There were also demands to end the imperialist wars on Iraq and Afghanistan and the use of torture. The best protest sign that day said it all: “Without struggle, there is nothing.”

Friday, May 1st, at the South Park Blocks in downtown Portland a coalition of progressive groups including Jobs with Justice, American Federation of Teachers, Portland Community College Federation of Faculty and Academic Professionals,
Veterans for Peace, the Portland Immigrants Coalition, PDX Peace.org, PeacrResource.org, PSASC, The Oregon New Sanctuary Movement, KBOO Radio, The Portland Alliance,
VOZ, AFSCME, SEIU, the AFL-CIO and a host of unions and concerned citizens. Around 1pm the tables were setup, musical instruments were unloaded, and dancers changed into costume...

The plan was to create posters for the march, inform passers by, interact with the media, and celebrate. Speakers and entertainment were scheduled for 4pm with a mile and a half march through Portland streets to follow.

For most of the first couple hours, the police and peacekeepers nearly outnumbered those who were gathering. But slowly the families with picnic baskets, students, union members, and activists drifted in. First one, then two, then more than three of the Parks blocks were filled with a bustle of activity as preparations commenced.

First came the dancers...Eventually the crowds swelled to about 4500... and a peaceful celebration was had by all...

On Friday May 1st in commemoration of International Workers’ Day, Immigrant and Labor Rights advocates will march and rally at the Oregon State Capitol to call on elected leaders to:

-Pass Comprehensive Immigration reform NOW!
-Stop ICE raids and end the detentions!
-Restore Drivers’ License access to All Oregon Residents
-Protect and Support Workers’ Rights & Just Wages

Sponsors include: CAUSA, PCUN, SEIU, Rural Organizing Project, Voz Hispana Causa Chavista, and others