“EL PUEBLO, UNIDO, JAMÁS SERÁ VENCIDO!!”
The cries of hundreds echoed in the streets of north Fresno on Thursday, May 1, for the annual May Day march and rally. While this annual march has been going on for 19 years, this year was different.
The Primero de Mayo Coalición has partnered with dozens of Central Valley organizations for years to put together a Primero de Mayo march and rally, calling for immigration and workers’ rights reform. May Day is historically a day that recognizes the international struggle for workers’ rights and the labor movement.
But this year’s march also criticized the current administration’s actions, which many call a threat to democracy. In line with this, the community marched three miles, from River Park to the Tesla dealership. People from all groups – young and old, Black, brown, and white, and diversely abled – showed up to raise their voices and make a statement.
Rosamarta Torres with Reedley Social Services attended the three-mile march with her husband. She is 69 years old.
“Estamos aquí porque estamos celebrando el primero de mayo, el día del trabajador internacional, participamos cada año,” ella dijo. “Estamos luchando por los derechos de la humanidad, especialmente para los derechos de los trabajadores del campo, y estamos también luchando porque este presidente que tenemos está haciendo un terror para los trabajadores. Entonces, estamos aquí para apoyarlos.”
“We’re here because we’re celebrating May Day, International Workers’ Day, which we participate in every year,” she said. “We’re fighting for human rights, especially for the rights of farm workers. We’re also fighting because this president is terrorizing workers. So, we’re here to support them.”
It’s no secret that the Trump administration has been targeting the immigrant community, and the march showed just how many folks felt strongly about protecting immigrants, democracy, and due process.
One gentleman held a sign reading, “THE WORKERS SHOULD HOLD THE POWER, NOT THE BILLIONAIRES.” His name is Jonathan Gardea, and he works with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
“We are here fighting for the outright violent and illegal tactics the government is using against the people living here due to their documentation status,” Gardea said. “It’s wrong. It’s evil.”
The march continued in the early spring Fresno heat, through sidewalks, streets, and into the Tesla dealership parking lot.
Leonel Flores, the Primero de Mayo Coalición coordinator, stood atop a truck lined with various flags and directed a clear message to the community, and to the administration themselves.
“No somos dictadores. We are not dictators, we are not like them. We are fighting for democracy.”
Protestors cheered, and counter-protestors in a truck lined with “Trump 2024” flags approached. Flores encouraged the community to not engage and keep things peaceful. Fresno’s Brown Berets, a historic group dedicated to protecting community protestors, stood guard and kept the peace.
Local news channels such as Univision also attended and captured footage of Fresno’s community marching for their rights. There was a general feeling of pride and empowerment when the crowd came together.
Lourdes Medina, an active member in the community and a Communications Organizer for SIREN Immigrant Rights, has been attending the Primero de Mayo marches since they started in 2006.
“Coming out of the march this year, it was great to hear from people sharing that they felt uplifted and comforted having such a diverse crowd joining us,” Medina said. “Most years, it’s just La Raza [primarily the community of Mexican and Latino-origin folks], but this year, it was really diverse. It felt good knowing they were standing with us.”
While the march made sentiments clear, news is announced every day of new attacks on immigrants. Until there is a change, though, the people of Fresno will continue to line the streets with signs, banners, and shouts, sharing their struggles, burdens, and fights as one.
