Milwaukee, WI – Thousands attended this year’s May Day celebration here. The May 1 event advanced the demand for immigration reform, including legalization for all undocumented immigrants in the U.S., as well as continued support for the nearly year-long Palermo's workers’ strike.

Workers from labor unions including USW, LiUNA, AFT, UFCW and the Teamsters marched in the event with good contingents. Teamster Daniel Ginsberg-Jaeckle said, “We need to continue supporting the workers on strike from Palermo’s. The company has hired scab labor to try to break the strike. Many of the union workers out today are here in a show of solidarity with those workers.”

Students and youth came out in large numbers, with many of high school and college age representing the Vosces de la Frontera-affiliated organization Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES). Students for a Democratic Society at UW-Milwaukee also brought out a contingent in support.

Kennia Coronado, vice president of the UW-Milwaukee chapter of YES, said, “We're here because we need to make sure we have a legalization process for all. We need to allow for the reunification of families.”

Coronado states that hundreds of youth from grade school to college level joined the rally and march.

The event closed with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, read in a speech by Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope, “'A man can't ride your back unless it's bent.' We're showing today that our backs are not bent over!”

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