Rallies, demonstrations set to mark Labor Day across Southern California
Labor Day demonstrations took place across Southern California and beyond, all in support of working families and putting people before profit.
More than two dozen rallies are set to take place Monday across the Southland as part of a nationwide Labor Day effort billed by organizers as a "stop the billionaire takeover."
The "stop the billionaire takeover" rallies are organized by May Day Strong, a partnership of various labor, political and environmental organizations which bills itself as "working people rising up to stop the billionaire takeover -- not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement."
Labor, political and environmental groups called to protect Medicaid and social security, as well as called for fully funded schools and health care and housing for all. They also want to "stop the attacks" on immigrants and other minority groups.
The events include The People's Block Party, "a high-energy, community-centered event that's equal parts festival and movement" from 4:30-7 p.m. at 1071 Elysian Park Drive, organizers said. The party will include amplified sound, celebrity guests, live DJs, local artists, public servant speakers, "mutual aid, local food, healing, joy, resistance, and rhythm," according to organizers.
Workers over Billionaires rallies are planned for:
- Claremont, intersection of Foothill Boulevard and North Indian Hill Boulevard, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Culver City City Hall, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Echo Park, 751 Echo Park Ave., 10 a.m.- noon
- Lakewood, 5050 Clark Ave., 8-10 a.m.
- Long Beach City Hall, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Long Beach, Ocean Boulevard between Temple and Loma avenues, 10 a.m.- noon
- Montebello, 361 E Lincoln Ave., noon-2:30 p.m.
- Northridge, The Village at Northridge, 9222 Corbin Ave, 10 a.m.-noon
- Palmdale, intersection of 10th Street West and Rancho Vista Boulevard, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Pasadena City Hall, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- San Pedro, near Maritime Museum, East Sixth Street and Harbor Boulevard, noon-1:30 p.m.
- Santa Clarita, 24290 McBean Parkway, 9:30 a.m.-noon
- Topanga, U.S. Post Office, 101 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd. noon-2 p.m.
- Torrance City Hall, 10 a.m.-noon
- West Covina, 2220 S. Azusa Ave., 9 a.m.-noon
- Westchester, intersection of Sepulveda and La Tijera boulevards, 4-5 p.m.
- Whittier City Hall, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Orange County locations include:
- Brea, Imperial Highway & State College Boulevard, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach Pier, Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, 10 a.m.- noon
- Laguna Beach, Main Beach, 175 S. Coast Highway, 10 a.m.- noon
- Newport Beach, Pacific Coast Highway and Jamboree Road and Pacific Coast Highway and MacArthur Court, 10 a.m.- noon
- Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Seal Beach, 801 Pacific Coast Highway, noon-2 p.m.
- Sunset Beach, Warner Avenue & Pacific Coast Highway, 10 a.m.- noon
The Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition 46th annual Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally will have the theme "Labor Unions Fighting for a Better Tomorrow."
What organizers bill as one of the nation's largest Labor Day parades began at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Broad Avenue and E Street, went west on E Street to Avalon Boulevard, continued north on Avalon Boulevard to M Street and concluded at Banning Park.
A picnic and rally began at 11 a.m. at Banning Park. The rally programhad labor guest speakers and an introduction of elected officials, organizers said.
A kids' zone will include face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, a puppet show and book giveaway. There will be 40 vendor booths of various unions and labor organizations to distribute free informational materials.
The picnic will also include music and dancing at the main stage. It is set to end at 4 p.m.
Organizers expect "a couple thousand participants," Kristal Romero, the press secretary of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, told City News Service.
The participants will include former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is running for governor. He will ride on the District Council of Ironworkers float, according to his campaign.
Elected officials and candidates are not allowed to campaign, give speeches or distribute campaign materials at the parade or rally, according to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition, which organizes the parade and rally.
Labor Day, the yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the nation's strength, prosperity and well-being, was first celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City.
In 1887, Oregon became the first state to formally recognize Labor Day. By 1894, 31 of the then-44 states had made Labor Day a holiday when Congress passed a bill designating the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and territories.
City News Service contributed to this report.
