Despite intimidation as a result of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, approximately 2,000 people turned out for International Workers’ Day in San José. It was the largest of the May Day marches in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Initiated by Voluntarios de la Comunidad, the march was supported by a broad range of groups, including ANSWER South Bay (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation. This year the focus was again on immigrant rights and featured non-stop chanting, much youthful enthusiasm and a spirit of optimism and determination.
A popular chant was ¡Obama escucha, estamos en la lucha! (Obama listen, we’re in the struggle). Another was ¡Aqui estamos, y no nos vamos! ¡Y si nos echan, nos regresamos! (Here we are, we’re not going, and if they throw us out, we’re coming back!)
In a commentary published the day after the march, Raj Jayadev, director of Silicon Valley De-Bug, an organization of youth activists and artists, wrote: “That number might sound small when compared to the 150,000 who came out in 2006, but it was bigger than the past two May Day marches, and larger then any other march in recent times in San Jose, including the anti-war marches. … [I]mmigrant communities are expecting immigration reform, will do their part to make that a reality, and will hold President Obama to his promise of getting it done in his first year.”
Video clips of the march can be viewed here
