Union Families Join Working People and Immigrants for May Day Events, Respond to Political Attacks on Immigrant and Workers' Rights
April 28, 2011

AFL-CIO Pres. Trumka in Wisconsin to note immigrants' and workers' rights are same fight

(Washington, April 28) For May Day, hundreds of thousands of working people across the United States are coming together to call for common-sense solutions to our nation's broken immigration system and a voice for all workers. From California to Wisconsin, immigrant families, union members and their allies in the civil rights, religious, and progressive communities will commemorate the legacy of May Day by joining together at rallies and marches across the country. Participants will voice their opposition to the dramatic assault by politicians and their corporate CEO backers on the rights of immigrants, working people, students and middle-class America.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ground zero for the recent assaults on working people, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka will rally with tens of thousands of people for a voice for all workers.

"This year on May Day, all working people are standing together to show the world that the fight for workers' rights and immigrant rights are cut of the same cloth," said Trumka."On May Day, we're reminded that the foes of working people are not just anti-worker. They're opposed to any and all action to rebalance our economy, build a strong middle class and give every worker a voice. Working people – immigrant and native-born alike – will speak with one voice to fight for better wages and benefits, job security and safer workplaces for everyone."

Workers, students, churches and universities are embracing collective action throughout the day on May 1 and calling on President Obama to do more to help ensure a solid foundation for tomorrow's new Americans. Together, participants will stand in solidarity and urge the President to begin implementing policies such as deferred action to DREAM Act-eligible youth and a humane new prosecutorial discretion policy that will help address the country's broken immigration system. They are also calling on the President to stop enforcement measures that are putting our communities and workers at risk.

This year's nationwide mobilization marks the fifth year that immigrant communities around the country have taken to the streets on May Day to demand fair treatment, respect and a voice. The rallies and marches will bring out hundreds of thousands of people--immigrants, people of color, clergy, and working families -- everywhere from small towns to the nation's largest cities.