Initial Report
Filipino Immigrants Network for Empowerment (FINE)
May 1, 2008
Los Angeles, CA

30,000 IMMIGRANTS/ WORKERS MARCH-RALLY ON MAY 1st IN LA

Los Angeles—For the third year in a row. more or less than 30,000 marchers from three major groups- the MIWON, March 25 Coalition and the April 7th Coalition for Full Immigrants Rights in Los Angeles and demand full rights and legalization for immigrants and to commemorate International Workers Day.

The media called it “a combination of a holiday parade and party celebrations” Different media outlets have different estimates like a conservative estimate from as low as 7,000 from KCRW and as high as 30,000 from NPR radio.

In Los Angeles, California the newly formed Filipino American For Immigration Reform (FAIR) with the Pilipino Workers Center marched from Historic Filipinotown to Macarthur Park and joined 15,000 strong MIWON contingent that marched from Macarthur Park to downtown Broadway.

Shouting: MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT, LEGALISAYON, NGAYON and ANG TAO, ANG BAYAN NGAYON AY LUMALABAN.

The almost a hundred strong Filipino American contingent rallyist marched down Alvarado and Beverly Streets to 7th street and Alvarado at Macarthur Park where the march marched for two miles towards Figueroa Street. They were composed of the Association of Filipino Workers (AFW), Youth UNITE, KMB Pro People Youth, JFAV, Samahang Pilipino at UCLA , People’s CORE, PWC and Gabriela-Network-LA.

They marched with the Korean drummers and the BRU yellow-clad marchers led the lively crown with chants like LEGALIZATION NOW. THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED, AMNESTY NOW!

Joint MIWON/March 25th and April 7 Coalition March/Rally

On the other hand, the April 7 Coalition composed of another 15,000 strong led by the Hermanidad Mexicana, Latino Movement –USA and ANSWER-LA marched together with the March 25 Coalition in Olympic and Broadway at around 2;00 PM.

The two contingents met at 5th and Broadway Streets and marched together at 1st street and Broadway at around 3:30 PM. Another group from American Apparel factory in Alameda marched and joined the rally. The 4,000 strong contingent marched with signs-LEGALIZE LA.

The rally was later held from around 5:00 PM where speakers after speakers asked for immigration reform and a pathways for citizenship not a guest workers program.

For more information contact cdir –usa or the Filipino Immigrant Network for Empowerment (FINE) at (213)241-0906 or email@cdir_usa@yahoo.com