Thousands mark May Day with protests in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A sea of marchers walked down Market Street in San Francisco to celebrate international workers' day. It was a peaceful event with several messages.
A small group gathered in front of San Francisco's immigration offices early Monday morning. With deportations on the rise, people here voiced their disapproval of the President's plans to keep undocumented people out of the country.
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"This May Day we are making sure that all immigrant families are standing together against the deportation and detention of immigrant families," said Hong Mei Pang, who works with Chinese for Affirmative Action.
The bigger gathering was at Justin Herman Plaza where unions, immigrant advocates and regular folks called it a march for all Americans.
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"My small baby's grandparents were immigrants from El Salvador and it's really important to us to protect the rights of those who work here," said Danielle Love, a San Francisco resident.
Teachers who serve many immigrant families took the day off highlighting the fear that some of their students live with.
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"A lot of our families are feeling really fearful after this new Presidency so we're here in solidarity for a community to show them that we still have a voice," said Emily Law, a teacher.
May Day has always been about protecting the rights of all workers. Marcus Holder of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said dock workers at the Port of Oakland took the day off.
Thousands of marchers made it down Market Street to the Civic Center demanding changes in Washington and hoping for support here at home.
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