Boston May Day Calls for Immigrant Workers' Rights

by Michael Liu
May 1. 2005

Along with hundreds of May Day marches across the country, activists called for increased rights immigrant workers. This is a growing labor sector that many on the right has tried to restrict and deny rights to.

A hundred gathered to listen to representatives of the many immigrant groups in the area call for recognition of their human right to a livelihood. The Mayor of Boston came to announce his support for driving licenses, even for the undocumented. This is particularly important for many immigrants, including the large Irish sector, that works in construction work.

The rally was organized by a number of immigrant groups and Massachusetts Global Action to bring attention to immigra.The Azine attended as part of an Asian contingent that included the Chinese Progressive Association and Asian American Resource Workshop.

Even in the liberal city of Boston, a counter demonstration of minuteman came to denounce immigrants. Minutemen supporters, who voluntarily patrol the borders of the U.S., called immigrants a drain on the economy, incompatible with the Christian, European roots of the U.S. and contributors to overpopulation in the country. Face to face with them, immigrants pointed out their payment of taxes and to the Social Security system, funds that they will never see, their willingness to take jobs that native workers will not. They also pointed out the importance of diversity in a global world and the U.S. role in creating the conditions for emigration in the immigrants' native countries. However, both sides agreed on the negative role of corporations.

This rally was part of a growing defense of immigrant workers against parts of U.S. facing dislocation from growing inequality, population change, and outsourcing. This organizing will need to intensify as the U.S. economy weakens.

May Day Immigrant Workers Rally