Activists for a variety of reasons marched on Saturday afternoon during a May Day protest in downtown San Diego during one of the district’s many protests.
May 1, which is celebrated on May 1, is usually a day of protest aimed at giving visibility to the exploitation of workers, known as International Workers’ Day. Large-scale protests took place on Saturday around the world, including in France, where more than 100,000 people marched against police. said Reuters,
Elsewhere in the county, the Gente Unida Coalition staged a caravan of cars from Balboa Park to the port of San Isidro to protest immigration policies, and the San Diego Tenants Union organized a caravan to protest property owners they described as homeowners. Other events included a convoy to the Otay Mesa detention center protesting the detention of immigrants, and a May 1 convoy from Barrio Logan to Escondido promoting “the health and dignity of all workers.”
The protest, which took place in downtown San Diego, was attended by about 80 people, called the “People’s Rally.” Instead of just being a May event, many in attendance said they had different reasons for being there, such as racism and police brutality.
The organizers stated that they do not want to limit the event to one goal, trying to gather a large group of people from all over the San Diego area. Anti-fascist groups, Black Defenders, feminist activists, those who wanted to speak out against anti-Asian racism were present.
“We all build the community we want to live in,” said Brandon Simmons, 25, of Chula Vista.
The protesters had signs on which was written: “Women create all the wealth”, “End police brutality” և “The importance of minorities”.
Roslyn Cassidy, 28, of North Park, said various reasons fall under the banner of fighting capitalism.
He said he was a bartender at the El Cajon Hotel but was fired at the start of the epidemic. He said COVID-19 had harmed women in the hospitality industry who were often forgotten.
“These women are suffering, their voices are not being heard,” Cassidy said.
The leisure and hospitality sector, which includes hotels and restaurants, lost 55,400 jobs in March, according to the State Department for Employment Development. That’s more than half of all jobs lost in the San Diego area.
A large police presence was observed throughout the march, often as a sign of the marchers. San Diego police were on a motorcycle as the crowd moved from East Village to the waterfront. Except for occasionally blocking the march, the crowd was peaceful.
Some protesters shouted “ACAB” at the police. “All police officers are prostitutes.” Before the march began, one of the chalk art demonstrators filmed a police car.
It was one of the most used chants. “No justice, no peace, no racist police.”
Many marchers wanted to draw attention to the widespread wave of anti-Asian racism across the country. Alice Lemke, 32, of Hillcrest, blamed former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called COVID-19 a “Chinese virus,” or “anti-Asian sentiment.” at least one occasion, “Kung flu”
Some of the groups organizing the event were We Stand United SD, Stop Asian Hate SD, AF3IRM և Direct Action Drumline.
Gloria Ard Ardon, 50, of Sante, was there with East County BIPOC (a group of people of color) trying to promote the diversity of their San Diego area. He had a sign that read: “Injustice is a threat to justice everywhere.” Santi prepared national titles Last summer, when a man in a Ku Klux Klan hat was shopping for a Vons grocery store instead of a mask.
“We are here because we want to change the way they see Santi,” he said. “People need to feel safe.”
Other May Day events took place throughout California. Great Protest on May 1 in Los Angeles, usually held in MacArthur Park, was instead held in Chinatown as a way to take a stand against anti-Asian racism.