Liberty State Park: May Day 2017 Protest Will Rally N.J. Immigrant Community

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A coalition of labor leaders, community activists, and immigrant rights groups will spearhead a “May Day” pro-immigration rally from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Liberty State Park in Jersey City on Monday, May 1.

According to a news release from organizers, the event is being held in response to “a wave of anti-immigrant policies the Trump administration has been pushing in an attempt to criminalize immigrants, separate families and strike fear in communities.”

• See related article: New Jersey Protests Trump’s Immigration Ban [VIDEOS, PHOTOS]
• See related article: This Lawyer Used To Deport Immigrants; Now She Defends Them

A similar rally held in 2013 drew several thousand people to Liberty State Park. The 2017 event will feature speeches from a host of dignitaries, cultural performances and music, organizers said.

Event organizers include: 32BJ SEIU, ACLU-NJ, BlueWaveNJ, CAIR-NJ, CWA, Faith in New Jersey, LAN, Make the Road NJ, New Labor, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, NJ Working Families, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters and Wind of the Spirit.

“Standing up for the rights of workers, whether they be immigrants, the poor, the disadvantaged has never been easy but, especially in these times, when our values are under attack, stepping forward is absolutely necessary,” said Kevin Brown, 32BJ SEIU Vice President and NJ State Director. “Families in our community are being destroyed, American-born children are being separated from their parents. We refuse to stand aside and do nothing.”

"As one of the most diverse states in the nation, New Jersey must lead the way in defending and protecting the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Analilia Mejia Director NJ Working Families Alliance.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: 32BJ, 2013 event in Liberty State Park