OAKLAND — Hundreds of people marched and rallied Wednesday to commemorate International Workers Day, also known as May Day.
Among them were scores of unionized construction workers in hardhats and safety vests who picketed two downtown construction sites Wednesday morning, demanding developers hire local union Oakland and Alameda County residents.
Port of Oakland workers had a contract negotiated day off so they could participate in activities. The day ended with a rally and march at Frank Ogawa Plaza, where a diverse array of union and social justice organizations joined the Oakland Sin Fronteras coalition to show solidarity against on-going attacks against immigrants, refugees, workers and all people impacted by state violence, organizers said.
The origins for May Day began in Europe. In the United States, the first May Day generally observed came in 1904 and was caused from workers’ demands for an eight-hour workday and safe-working conditions. Today, May Day celebrates workers’ rights, demands for good union jobs, affordable housing and anti-displacement measures.