Thousands March on May Day in Support of Workers, Immigrants Rights

LOS ANGELES, CA - Thousands of immigrants, union members, workers and supporters thronged downtown Los Angeles for annual May Day marches calling for improved conditions for workers and full rights for immigrants.

One of three marches -- organized by the May Day Coalition of Los Angeles -- began with a gathering at 11th and Figueroa streets. Demonstrators then marched east on 11th Street and north on Los Angeles Street, before rallying on Aliso Street northeast of the Civic Center area.

A Los Angeles Fire Department commander could be heard radioing that upwards of 2,000 participants were converging on the area.

A crowd estimate was not available from Los Angeles police, but as of 5 p.m., the events were peaceful and no arrests were made, according to Officer Ricardo Hernandez.

After marchers reached the Civic Center area, a group stood at the intersection of First Street and Broadway with a giant effigy of Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump.

The Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition also planned a march and rally, themed "Build Bridges Not Walls," with participants gathering at Broadway and Olympic Boulevard then heading north on Broadway and Spring Street, ending with a rally at Grand Park in the Civic Center area.

Another march began in Boyle Heights.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area if at all possible, and for good reason, as closures of normally busy thoroughfares created traffic jams downtown.

While no arrests were made, 129 parking citations were issued and 59 vehicles were towed, Hernandez said.

Police units deployed for the events were demobilized at 5 p.m.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of CHIRLA