It is planned to honor those who work in the fields, supermarkets, hospitals, and other areas
Field workers among those most exposed to the coronavirus. (Photo by Aurelia Ventura / La Opinion)
Photo:
Archive / Aurelia Ventura / La Opinion
In Los Angeles, this May Day, International Labor Day when the world labor movement is commemorated, will be focused on celebrating virtually the essential workers who have not stopped working during the coronavirus quarantine.
The Workers' Day Coalition plans to honor immigrants and workers while respecting the rules of social distance imposed by the pandemic.
The purpose is to show solidarity with the workers who remain in hospitals, supermarkets, warehouses and cultivated fields, but who were left out of Congress' economic rescue laws, without receiving a stimulus check.
"Immigrants and Workers Keep America Running, in Times of Crisis as well as Prosperous Times”Said Apolonio Morales, director of external affairs of the Coalition for the Rights of Immigrants (CHIRLA).
"To really move forward, this nation must recognize us all as essential, regardless of legal status, and respond to our needs," he added.
The commemoration of the day includes giving a virtual coordinated applause at 6 p.m. in recognition of all the workers, taxed by all the people who remain in their house in quarantine.
Everyone is encouraged to go out to their windows, balconies, and front doors of their homes to throw a nightstick and applaud workers for two minutes and 20 seconds.
"In the midst of this health crisis, we have a responsibility to come together as a global community to ensure protection and livelihood for all, regardless of social and legal status," said Martha Arévalo, director of Carece Los Angeles.
"We must all encourage the work and existence of immigrant workers, often treated as invisible and excluded from critical relief efforts," added the leader.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and several other leaders will join the applause through their social media accounts.
"This pandemic exposes the failures of this economic system to provide guarantees for the safety and well-being of workers., and it has to change as we come out of this health crisis, ”said Cliff Smith, business manager for Local 36 of the Roofing and Waterproofing Union.
And he demanded that all incentives be given equitably to undocumented workers, who risk their lives doing essential work to keep this country moving forward.
The Workers' Day Coalition encouraged people to take videos by applauding, and post them on their social media with the hashtags # MayDay2020 and #ClapForWorkers.
They also ask to phone, text or tweet Governor Gavin Newsom, urging him to protect immigrant workers by providing them with personal protective equipment, unemployment insurance, risk wages and measures to prevent eviction.
Participating in the Workers' Day Coalition are: CHIRLA: the US Communist Party: the Coalition of Labor Union Women Los Angeles; My Family Votes; InsightLA; Boyle Heights Promise; CARECEN of California (Central American Resource Center); ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism); Party for Socialism and Liberation; ACT-LA; UCLA Labor Center; Women’s March Foundation; CAIR-LA; National Lawyers Guild Los Angeles; Equality California; Social and Public Art Resource Center; United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 36; MORENA Los Angeles; SEIU 121RN; LCLAA Los Angeles; 50th Anniversary of Chicano Moratorium Commemorative Organizing Committee; California Partnership; Strategy Center; InnerCity Struggle; LAANE; SCOPE; WeCare; National Day Laborer Organizing Network; DSA-LA; Korean Resource Center; The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO; Food Chain Workers Alliance; Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice.
