Media Adisory

Filipino Immigrants Network for Empowerment (FINE)

May 2, 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 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. A stop on ICE raids and deportations and to commemorate International Workers Day.

The media called it “a combination of a holiday parade and party celebrations” Different media outlets and the LAPD 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, shouting: MAKIBAKA, HUWAG MATAKOT, LEGALISAYON, NGAYON and ANG TAO, ANG BAYAN NGAYON AY LUMALABAN. the newly formed Filipino American For Immigration Reform (FAIR) with the Pilipino Workers Center marched from Historic Filipinotown to Macarthur Park and joined 15,00 strong MIWON contingent that marched from Macarthur Park to downtown Broadway.

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 7th and Figueroa Streets PWC They were composed of the Association of Filipino Workers (AFW), PWC Youth UNITE, KMB Pro People Youth, JFAV, Samahang Pilipino at UCLA, People’s CORE, and Gabriela-Network-LA.

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

United 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 started in 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 at the corner of First Street and Broadway 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

Filipino American contingent marched with MIWON from Macarthur Park to downtown

MIWON contingent arrived at Figueroa and 5th Sts marching to downtown LA

More than 30,000 immigrants, youths and workers march for immigrant rights in LA May 1

MIWON . March 25 and April 7th Coaliton meets at Broadway and 5th and marched onwards to donwtown LA. Around 30,000 protestor narched.