Bay Area groups plan to protest on May Day

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Saturday, April 29, 2017
Bay Area groups plan to protest on May Day
Dockworkers and students will participate in Bay Area protests on International Workers Day on May 1st.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Workers and students plan to march in the Bay Area Monday for a day of action in recognition of May Day.

May Day was once about the fight over the 8-hour working day, but now there are many causes behind the day of action including the economic struggle of working families.

The International Longshore Workers Union represents those working at the Port of Oakland where dock workers will walk out Monday to have a rally at San Francisco's Justin Herman Plaza.

"And they'll make a statement that America is not working for everyone and we need a system and country that works for all working families, not just the fat cats, the billionaires and the one percent," Craig Merrilees with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union said.

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At around the same time as the workers march in San Francisco, UC Santa Cruz students are being encouraged to walkout of classes.

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In San Jose from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. International Workers Day will protest the building of a southern border wall between the U.S. and Mexico, and will focus on ending bigotry.

Several groups in Oakland will join in a rally and march aimed at protecting the rights of works and those who feel marginalized. In the afternoon, "Oakland Sin Fronteras" will meet at 3 p.m. at Fruitvale Plaza to have a rally and march for immigrant rights and protection.

"For us to make the connection between all the different struggling workers, the immigrants struggling, struggling against imprisonment and policing and see how al of these affect our communities," Mohamed Shehk with Oakland Sin Fronteras said.

All marches and rallies are expected to be peaceful events.

The May First Coalition of San Francisco will be organizing a large march and protest for that day.

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