May Day--To March or not to March.

[flyingcake]

What is everyone doing today?  Is anyone planning to march, and, if so, what specific cause?

Here in Seattle, there is a march and rally for immigrants rights, which has brought out the Latino population in recent years, but I get a sense that people are not going to come out and march like they did in previous years.

Is there less a sense of

Comments

los angeles checkin in!

[gaymertheflamer]

i think government has done a good job of surpressing much of what has been asked for around immigration reform and workers rights through legislation and intimidation. i'm not sure if there is less urgency (as the issues still exist and havent been resolved to the satisfaction 'of the people').

i will be attending in downtown l.a.

i was there last year too. i was right up in the mix of the police violence and managed to make it out with my partner and her son without being hurt.

i am curious to see what the atmosphere is going to be like today...

i think public protest is only part of what we need to do in order to achieve results. other actions include but are not limited to: voting, letter writing, education, and collaboration with other organizing groups.

it's important that we all show up! it's important that we all stand up and be heard! the only way change will happen is if we all participate!

si se puede!

Re: los angeles checkin in!

[flyingcake]

I saw the inappropriate response of violence on the part of the police response last year and was apalled! I didn't feel like that was really ever resolved, was it?

Re: los angeles checkin in!

[chreebomb]

Nope. Not at all. 300 claims, no resolutions.

I think it's cyclical.

[born_stubborn]

I think it's like a lot of issues where there's a surge of publicity/public interest that dies down when no one is there to stoke the coals. Next time Congress puts people's rights on the chopping block, you'll see folks coming out in droves again.

It is sad that that same fervor can't be maintained over time. It's human nature to become complacent once we feel our voices have been heard. It comes in cycles, but the roots of the movement are still there, waiting to reemerge.

Re: I think it's cyclical.

[flyingcake]

I agree that it's sad that the same fervor can't be maintained over time.

I don't feel like they've/we've really been heard, though. I think that there is a certain amount of 'battle fatigue' going on as well.

Re: I think it's cyclical.

[chreebomb]

Not to mention the outrageous raids happening all over. In LA, there have been some major ones. Folks are scared. And I don't blame them. It's a risk to show up to something like this sin papeles, you know?

Re: I think it's cyclical.

[flyingcake]

Yeah, I know. There have been raids here, but it doesn't get the press it deserves. And in the meantime, people continue on with their racist, xenophobic ways. Me and my partner have known several people now that have been deported. They are now starting to go on the ferry boats to find undocumented immigrants, sometimes just going by skin color/appearance.
I have papers, so I'm not scared, but it is a risk for people to come out.

[chreebomb]

Sí se puede! I can't go this year, but I've been the past two years. I was there in MacArthur Park in LA when the LAPD attacked the (very peaceful) crowd.

I am nervous about this year, and pray for safety for all the protesters who could make it.

[prettyxlies]

I went to the march today in LA! There werent as many people as other years but I think that was mostly due to people being scared after what happened here last year during May Day.

[flyingcake]

I went yesterday to the march and rally here, and it was the same thing--less people. Overall, though, still a good rally. I'll be posting a few pictures soon on my LJ.

[dospaises]

I forgot!!! (goes to check if nyc did anything)