May Day Rally

Madison will March for Immigrant and Workers’ Rights on May First

Madison, WI. Immigrant Workers Union (IWU), labor and community organizations their allies will join the national call for immigration reform on Sunday, May First. In Wisconsin there will be at least two rallies in coordination with tens of cities all around the country, one in Milwaukee and the other in Madison. Both rallies will highlight the importance of unity and solidarity with public employees and thousands of working families affected by Scott Walker’s policies.

In Madison, the march will depart at 1PM from Brittingham Park to the Capitol where a few speakers will address the rally. After that, the community is invited to participate in a free, fun and family friendly potluck back at the park.

This year the main demands gravitate around the defense of immigrants and worker’s families:
•A Just Taxation System where corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share!
•The Right to Collectively Organize and Bargain!
•No Arizona-style Anti-Immigrant Laws!
•Living Wage Jobs!
•Quality Public Education for All!
•Instate Tuition for Undocumented Students!
•Quality, Affordable Healthcare!

”In 2006, immigrant workers reclaimed May Day as a clear acknowledgment that immigrants are the first workers who recognize the importance and the practicality of unity with all workers. Today, thousands of working families are victims of the policies of Scott Walker, via service cuts to important programs like BadgerCare, FoodShare, Education, and so much more. Solidarity, today, is more relevant than ever” says Yvonne Geerts from I.W.U.

Also, “Immigrants are a critical part of the American Experience and always will be. Immigrant rights and worker rights are human rights. This struggle is all of ours. We need to work together to create a just and rational way for immigrants to stay in our country legally,” said Andy Heidt from AFSCME 1871, Dane County Professionals.
“I think this will be one of the biggest May Days in Madison, most local unions are calling their membership, communities are ready and the timing seems right with a terrible budget on its way and more anti- immigrant laws in the making, only in the street we will be able to stop this constant attack on the poor” added Alex Gillis from IWU.

For more information contact any of the sponsoring organizations:
Immigrant Workers Union, Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin, South Central Federation of Labor, Madison Teachers Inc, MidWest Board of Worker’s United, TAA, AFSCME 171, AFSCME 1871, AFSCME 60, We Are Wisconsin, People’s Rights Campaign, Wisconsin Resist, SWEIO, ASO, Worker’s International League, WNPJ, MEChA, Campus Women’s Center, Groundwork, ISO, Worker’s Rights Center, Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice, Industrial Workers of the World, Progressive Dane, Wisconsin Resists, Wisconsin Wave, Liberty Tree and more