May Day Rally Unites Activists For Justice

Hundreds of people gathered on the Green to reclaim May Day, the original Labor Day for workers, but also to join others fighting for justice on several fronts.

With the band Momentos Musicales providing a soundtrack for a rally and march Friday, people gathered to proclaim justice for workers, immigrants and black lives.

Some even came from as far away as Japan to call for peace through the abolition of nuclear weapons. A group of women known as the Raging Grannies, who said they’d chosen protest over porch-sitting in their golden years, regaled the crowd by converting classic tunes like ​“When The Saints Go Marching In” and ​“Fever” into protest music.

Yale Alder Sarah Eidelson presented a proclamation from the city declaring the day ​“International Workers Day” in New Haven.

Mayor Toni Harp gave a shout out to workers for all they do to keep the city a clean place and safe place to live. ​“It’s because of workers that we have this beautiful city,” she said.

Speakers like Cindy Salcedo, wife of U.S. Army veteran Jorge Salcedo, called on those gathered on the Green Friday to support families like hers likely to be broken apart by deportation. Her husband is facing deportation after he pleaded guilty to an assault charge, not knowing that a guilty plea could get him deported despite the fact that he legally immigrated to the United States. ​“Not one more,” was Cindy’s cry as she left the stage.

Those representing workers fighting for higher minimum wages and the right to unionize talked about the need for fairness in scheduling, and pointed out that higher wages would mean fewer people in need of public assistance. Their cry: ​“Dignity and respect. More money in our checks.”

Kenneth Reveiz of New Haven Rising told the crowd that of the 83,000 jobs in New Haven, less than one in four is worked by someone who actually lives in the city. ​“That’s unacceptable,” he said. ​“We need this diverse movement for peace, racial justice, justice for immigrants rights,and laborers to continue to fight for decent environments so that we don’t just survive, but thrive.”

The May Day rally was sponsored by a broad coalition of community and labor organizations including: American Federation of Teachers-CT, Connecticut AFL-CIO, Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Connecticut Working Families, Communications Workers of America, Local 1298, Colombia Action CT, Junta for Progressive Action, Mexico Solidarity Committee, New Haven Labor Council, New Haven Peace Council, New Haven Peoples Center, New Haven Rising, SEIU 32 BJ, UE Northeast Region, UE Locals 243, 222, Unidad Latina en Accion, and UNITE/HERE Unions at Yale University.