Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
South Florida rallies mark May Day
In Fort Lauderdale, 150 protest policies on immigration
Among the many stories shared at the May Day rally in downtown Fort Lauderdale on Monday night was Randi Weingarten’s plea for improved workers’ rights.
Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, addressed a crowd of roughly 150 people at Bubier Park in Fort Lauderdale, one of several rallies across South Florida in protest of President Trump’s immigration policies.
“All of us who have been fighting for those things that some call the American Dream — that doesn’t happen without a real democracy,” Weingarten said.
May Day was originally a celebration of spring, but it has also become a day for activism as it shares the day with International Worker’s Day. Monday’s rally, dubbed “National Day of Action for Immigrant and Workers,” also addressed civil rights, public education reform and affordable health care.
Following a two-hour rally, participants marched down Las Olas Boulevard, shouting “This is what democracy looks like!” Trump’s name was mentioned numerous times.
Claudia Saucedo, who works as a caterer in South Florida, said she was barely making enough money 17 years ago to pay for basic necessities in her native Argentina. She then heeded her friends’ advice and moved to the United States with her four children.
“I want to spread the voice a lot of people don’t know about why we are here,” said Saucedo, who is undocumented. “Listen to our stories. When I’m finished, tell me if I’m guilty. We do everything to stay in this country, we are not criminals.”