“Only the people save the people!” Generation the cry that almost tore the throat of Silvia Servin, 26, one of almost 10,000 protesters who marched in Los Angeles during the May Day rally, in MacArthur Park where they harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s policies, called for an end to the war in Iran and the disappearance of ICE.
“I came to support my people, because ICE is beating and grabbing them,” said the woman, at the site where former Border Patrol agent Greg Bovino led aggressive and high-profile immigration raids in Los Angeles, including a vital operation carried out on July 7, 2025 in MacArthur Park.
There, where Bovino led the federal offensive against immigration and used paramilitary tactics such as horse patrols, armored vehicles and rapid action tactics – described by experts as state patrols – that caused local outrage and generated conflicts with local authorities due to the cruelty and mistreatment of immigrants. Bovino was fired after the murders of Nicole Wooden and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
“Last summer, Trump sent armored vehicles to this community, to the lives of day laborers and street vendors. They thought that would silence us, but since then, every day we say: here we are and no, we are leaving,” state senator María Elena Durazo harangued in her impassioned speech.
He recalled that May Day began in Chicago in 1886 with immigrant workers who went on strike for the eight-hour work day and were violently repressed, but still organized.
“We are here for every immigrant. We are here for every worker. No more deportations, no more violence. We are here for every agricultural, garment, construction, academic, domestic, health and truck worker,” Durazo said.
The Democratic senator has proposed legislation to reverse cuts to Medi-Cal and reinstate eligibility for all California residents, regardless of citizenship.
“We demand medical attention for everyone. Not just for some,” he declared. “Neither Trump nor the millionaires are going to stop us, because they must know that when they attack one, they attack all… today we march and tomorrow we vote.”
Arrested in New York
From New York to Chicago; From Los Angeles to Seattle and Washington DC, and from Madison (Wisconsin) and Raleigh (North Carolina) to Minneapolis, Minnesota, the demonstrations on the day of “no school, no work, no shopping” and an economic strike in the United States were complemented by protests in the streets.
As part of the 3,500 “May Day Strong” events, protesters from the Wreck of Day Movement – led mostly by young people – chained themselves at the entrance to the New York Stock Exchange. About a hundred people joined them, before being arrested and evicted.
They chanted: “Tax the rich!”
Their request is similar to efforts in California, where there is a proposal for a flat 5% tax on the net worth of the state’s billionaires.
Proponents of the measure, called the “Billionaire Tax Act of 2026,” have collected enough signatures to qualify it for the Nov. 3 ballot. It would mainly affect between 200 and 255 families whose assets exceed $1 billion.
‘Legalization for all’
In the vicinity of MacArthur Park, a morning rally began at 5:00 am, where members of the Los Angeles May Day Coalition—a network of more than 125 organizations and groups—motivated and invited Los Angeles residents to join the mass mobilization of May Day or International Workers’ Day.
“We just signed a contract with Kaiser Permanente, but we want there to be more nurses,” denounced Erika Tapia, a registered nurse. “We don’t want managers to see patients as numbers, but as people who deserve professional medical care.”
The commemoration of Labor Day coincided with a reality that affects the economy of all Americans, due to the price of gasoline almost reaching $7.00 per gallon, and the absence of immigration reform that has been stalled for 40 years due to the inaction of the Democratic and Republican parties.
“We demand legalization for everyone, with a direct path to citizenship,” was the request of Martha García, 65, originally from Mexico City, who attended the march in her wheelchair. “We no longer want traps like they did with the Dream Act or with the TPS.”
‘We are unstoppable’
“Our failed immigration system is at the center of many of our political and economic challenges, affecting working families and the costs of daily living, regardless of political affiliation,” stated Angélica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
“In addition to our continued fight for justice and dignity for workers, May Day is more than a celebration of unity and resilience: it has been a call to action. Because when we organize, when we mobilize, when we stand shoulder to shoulder, we are unstoppable and we can stop it all in the name of justice and love.”
The two-mile march, from the intersection of Park Watch and Wilshire Boulevard to Gloria Molina Park, in the heart of Los Angeles, aided the struggles of workers demanding better wages, better health care and taxes on the rich.
‘Democracy will never be bought’: Xavier Becerra
Before the start of the May Day march, Xavier Becerra, the Latino candidate for the primary election for California governor, was present at MacArthur Park.
“This day is special because every year we elevate those who work; we should give 365 days to the workers who work,” he said. “This is a day that I can celebrate and honor my parents and celebrate all those who work very hard these days and we remember that without working people a country accomplishes nothing.”
Especially when immigrants are under attack?
“Without a doubt. We know well that immigrants are the ones who work harder than anyone else and what we need is to recognize them as part of that movement of workers that always raises a country.”
What is the greatest promise that Javier Becerra can keep for all Californians and especially the immigrant community?
“Work for those who work every day.”
Can you buy the California governorship with money?
“If I have anything to do with it, democracy will never be bought. The governor’s office will never be bought because we need a governor who represents the people.”
It already happened to Meg Whitmann, who lost. And it also happened to Rick Caruso. Do you think that will happen with Tom Steyer?
“If the people leave [a votar]. What happens is that the people win and Xavier Becerra will be the next governor.”
What hits families the hardest: the economy, immigration?
“The crises we see are caused by people who do not think about honoring working people. So what we need are leaders who understand that the cost of living is very high and who understand that we cannot have leaders like Donald Trump who attack us instead of helping us.”
According to the new Gudelunas Methods poll conducted on Thursday, April 30, sponsored by the organization “California is Not For Sale”, Democrat Xavier Becerra has taken a slight lead over Republican Steve Hilton in the race for governor of California, ahead of the June 2 primaries.
Becerra, a 68-year-old Latino American lawyer and politician, has the support of 24% of likely voters, while Hilton is close behind with 23%. Billionaire Tom Steyer and Republican Chad Bianco follow, with 15% and 13% respectively.
