May Day: Protesters gather in DC calling for immigration reform Saturday

WASHINGTON (7News) — At around 11 a.m. Saturday, what activists are calling "thousands of protesters" started gathering at Black Lives Matter Plaza in D.C. to rally for immigration reform.

The protesters began their march to the National Mall with signs calling for the Biden administration to make a change for roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

May 1 is May Day, which is celebrated around the world as international worker’s day. It’s a time when immigrants and supporters call for change.

More specifically, organizers who gathered protesters are making demands of Congress, calling for citizenship of immigrants "who have toiled as essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic," as well as for DACA and TPS holders.

"The immigrant community needs President Biden to assert that leadership to translate this momentum to historic change," the organizers wrote in a press release. "It is time for our representatives to deliver on the promises they made."

We are proud to march alongside immigrant workers whose labor has sustained the whole country throughout this pandemic,” said Ana Maria Archila, co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy. “President Biden spoke about the important contributions of immigrants to our country. He knows that millions of essential workers are undocumented. We urge President Biden to honor their contributions by making sure that the next rescue package includes a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, TPS recipients, and essential workers.

In Paris, workers and union leaders have dusted off bullhorns and flags that had stayed furled during coronavirus lockdowns for boisterous May Day marches. In countries that mark May 1 as International Labor Day, workers clamored Saturday for more labor protections and financial support in the midst of the pandemic that has turned economies and workplaces upside down.

RELATED: May Day protesters demand more job protections amid pandemic

In Turkey and the Philippines, police cracked down on May Day protests, enforcing virus lockdowns and arresting hundreds. In France, some protesters in Paris and Lyon scuffled with riot police but most marches took place peacefully.

RELATED: Thousands expected to march in DC on Saturday for immigration reform

Saturday’s march will start at Black Lives Matter Plaza at 11 a.m. From there, people are expected to walk to the National Mall where there will be speakers.

According to the permits filed, the demonstration speakers at the National Mall included the following:

• Arlettee Morales (CASA)
• Guerline Josef (Haitian Bridge Alliance)
• Jose Berduo (CASA)
• Ana Hernandez (Working Families United)
• Son La Lucha – Son Jarocho (band, Will play 2 songs)
• Elsy Alvaro (National Domestic Workers Alliance)
• Ricardo Campos (SEIU 32BJ)
• Pedro Lucontre (MRNY) J
• usticia Sabrosera (band, will play 2 songs)
• Jein Ryu (NAKASEC)
• Isaias Guerrero (FIRM)
• Sherly Skai Band (will play 2 songs to close program)