May Day 2017: Tens of Thousands Across the U.S. March Against Trump, in Defense of Immigrants
May 1, 2017 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us
In every imperialist country, with the U.S. leading the way, immigrants are demonized and persecuted, and whole peoples are denied their basic humanity and their rights.
The racist vilification, targeting, and persecution of immigrants and refugees have been a leading edge of the Trump/Pence fascist program. Today on May 1, tens of thousands stepped into the streets in many cities and towns across the U.S. to oppose those assaults, and in opposition to Trump and his regime.
In Los Angeles, the march stretched for block after block. Thousands turned out in Milwaukee, where, according to one report, they filled the entire 6th Street Viaduct. There were large protests in Chicago and Seattle, and over a dozen May Day protests and events in the San Francisco Bay Area alone. In San Francisco, hundreds protested at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, as scores of people blocked driveways chanting “No ban, no raids, no walls—sanctuary for all.”
Seventy women at ICE’s Northwest Detention Center near Tacoma, Washington, chose May Day to join an ongoing hunger strike by other detainees there. In New York, NYU students left classes demanding the university become a sanctuary for immigrants, and a protest took place at an immigration court. Hundreds of people from across New Jersey rallied at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
Protests were also held in Philadelphia; Boston; Washington, DC; North Carolina; Jersey City and Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Oregon; Houston; and many other cities. They included immigrant and civil rights groups, labor organizations, the movement for a $15 minimum wage, faith groups, community organizations, and immigrants from countries around the world.
People working with Refuse Fascism brought “NO! In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America” to many of the demonstrations in the larger cities. And Revolution Clubs had an important presence in marches in Chicago, New York, and other cities.
Philadelphia, PA. Photo: @ericopinion.
International Longshore and Warehouse Union called for May Day Strike on the West Coast. Photo: @SFRefuseFascism.jpg.
May 1 at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Immigrant laborers and labor unions attended the rally, focusing on defending the rights of immigrants. Photo: @darianworden.
Revolution Club, New York taking out Bob Avakian's The New Communism, talking with people about the new synthesis, in the midst of the New York gatherings. Photo: Special to revcom.us.
Milwaukee, WI. Thousands marched to protect immigrants, including protesting the fascist Sheriff Clarke. Photo: Voices de la Frontera.
Seattle, WA. Several thousand marched especially in defense of immigrants. Photo: @mtaylorcanfield.
Washington, D.C. Photo: La Jornada, Mexico.
Thousands marched in Los Angeles, stretching for block after block. Photo: @mikehudema.
Students marched at Stanford University in California, proclaiming it a "sanctuary" for immigrants. Photo: @chicodechiseme
Early morning in San Francisco people locked arms to block the ICE building. Photo: AP.
Los Angeles - Refuse Fascism led a contigent as part of the march. Photo: Special to revcom.us.
San Francisco - painting the street "No Ban / No Wall / RESIST". Photo: @Brook Anderson
New York Foley Square. Photo: Special to revcom.us.
Chicago, IL - Thousands marched through the streets. Photo: @BernieCrats
Oakland, California. Students in several schools walked out to join May Day marches. Photo: Special to revcom.us.
Fresno, California, May 1. @Greg_woods
Tucson, Arizona, May 1. @CynthiaKOLD
Washington D.C., May 1st. Thousands of immigrants and labor unions marched outside the White House. Photo: AP
