May Day Protesters March for Workers' Rights, Baltimore

Hundreds of people marched through downtown San Diego on Friday to mark May Day, traditionally designed to call attention workers’ rights. But this year, most of the attention focused on law enforcement brutality in San Diego and Baltimore.

Organizers estimated the gathering drew close to 400 people.

“This society values wealth and riches, and a lot of times, the people that do the grunt work on the front lines on a daily basis are set aside and not highlighted,” said Kiki Ochoa with a group called Union Del Barrio.

But if May Day is meant to recognize workers’ rights and wage equality, incidents of alleged brutality have added new causes to the march.

“All day, all day, we will fight for Freddie Gray,” screamed out protesters. Also heard were cries of “Baltimore, we got your back.”

Prior to the march, a rally at Panejo Park featured several speakers. A large banner showed the face of Anastacio Hernandez, who died after getting shot by a Taser fired by Border Patrol agents.

Among the speakers and marchers was Mickey Kasparian, president of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council. While he was there to speak on behalf of workers’ rights, Kasparian was asked if his message was lost with so much attention on law enforcement brutality.

“I think it’s about social and economic justice, both. Of course, being a part of labor, we advocate for workers’ rights, but there’s a lot of social injustice going on in our country too,” said Kasparian.

And while the tone of the day was serious, it was, at times, festive. At one point, the two-mile march was paused in front of the Federal Building where dancers performed.

San Diego police added extra officers to monitor the march, which in the end was peaceful.
 

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