On Thurs., Sept. 28, pro-immigrant and labor organizations, including the ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and
End Racism) and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, participated in a rally and civil disobedience to demand workers’ rights in front of the big, luxury hotels near LAX airport. Workers, led by Unite Here, Local 11, are demanding union recognition at these 13 hotels. The vast majority of the hotels’ workers are immigrants, most are paid scarcely over minimum wage for backbreaking work.
ANSWER organizer Carlos Alvarez, center. Photos: Travis Wilkerson.
The day started with a rally featuring speakers like the leader of the LA County Federation of Labor and Local 11, Maria Elena Durazo. Musician Ben Harper played progressive songs for the crowd, which was 2,000 strong. ANSWER had a large and lively march contingent with signs and banners. Activists distributed statements of support from the anti-war movement and encouraged everyone present to attend the upcoming Oct. 28 march and rally to stop the war in Hollywood.
After a march that shut down sections of Century Blvd., around 300 activists, clergy, union leaders, students and workers participated in civil disobedience in front of the LAX Hilton and Westin hotels, refusing to leave the streets. The
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The action was progressive, but limited in scope. The union organizers had worked hand-in-hand with the Los Angeles Police Department to orchestrate the civil disobedience. LA County Fed leader Durazo even praised and thanked the cops for “participating” in the action from the rally’s stage.
But the workers and immigrants present were more militant. For them, it was clear where the lines were drawn. When the police came to arrest the activists blocking the streets, the crowd yelled “shame on you!”
ANSWER organizers and PSL members Carlos Alvarez and Tina Kelly participated in the civil disobedience and were arrested. Other Youth and Student ANSWER activists also participated. They remained in jail with hundreds of other activists for more than 16 hours in hot and crowded cells before the police released them.
After his release, Alvarez told PSLweb.org, “We participated in this important civil disobedience to show solidarity with the struggle of immigrants and all workers who face numerous injustices at the hands of these big hotels each day. It was a successful action. People came out from all over LA to support justice, equality and labor rights. This action lays the basis for increased struggle in the future. It helped link up the workers’ struggle with the anti-war and overall progressive movement.”
