May Day: Tens of Thousands Prepare to March Across the Country as Labor Struggle Linked to Immigrants Rights

One of the biggest rallies is expected to take place later today here in Los Angeles, California. Two years ago, over a million people took to the streets here and participated in what was called the Great American Boycott. In 2007, the May Day rallies for comprehensive immigration reform continued but were marred by incidents of violence with the Los Angeles Police Department firing rubber bullets at protestors in MacArthur Park.

This year, the LAPD claims to have prepared more restrained tactics that include the use of an electronic device flashing crowd-control warnings in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean.

To discuss today’s events and the state of the immigrant rights movement I’m joined now by two guests. Anike Tourse is the Communications Coordinator for CHIRLA, or the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. She joins me here in Los Angeles. Roberto Lovato is a writer with New America Media and a frequent contributor to the Nation magazine. He joins us from the firehouse studio in New York.

Anike Tourse, Communications Coordinator for CHIRLA, or the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

Roberto Lovato, Writer with New America Media and a frequent contributor to the Nation magazine. He joins us from the firehouse studio in New York.