The message is strong: We will not be silent!: New York’s workforce stands united against all attacks on immigrants and workers amid the Trump Administration’s cruel anti-immigration policy that terrorizes our communities and separates families, especially Hispanic ones.
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), the NYC Central Labor Council (AFL-CIO/CLC), unions, immigrant organizations and community advocates gathered in Washington Square Park and marched to Foley Square to raise their voices in protest against ICE operations and Trump’s war in Iran, as this weekend commemorated “May Day,” or “International Workers’ Day.”
A meeting took place between those who participate in the social movement building spaces of New York City, who shared stories of immigrant workers who sustain the economy and the communities of New Yorkers day after day.
At the same time, many of these same workers face the threat of deportation and draw attention to the growing threats of labor exploitation, as well as their exclusion from labor protections and due process.
Rights advocates urged state leaders to pass the “New York for All” Act (S2235B/A3506B), aimed at limiting cooperation between state and local law enforcement with federal immigration authorities, and strengthening protections for immigrant New Yorkers.
The historic connection between labor rights and immigrant justice was evoked by speakers ranging from grassroots members to movement leaders; All of them called for unity, collective action and the protection of all workers.
Immigrant workers and union members power New York workplaces in construction, in hospitals, restaurants, delivery routes, in the care economy and beyond.
Immigrants contribute approximately $3.1 billion annually in state and local taxes, funding schools, providing services and supporting social programs. Many immigrants are members of unions and keep the city and our state running.
They exploit and divide workers
Protesters point out that the Trump Administration’s attacks on working people—from ICE raids and rolling back Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and humanitarian parole, to stripping federal workers of collective bargaining rights, canceling union contracts, and persecuting workers based on their physical appearance or the language they speak—constitute a direct attack on the entire Labor Movement and a deliberate strategy to depress wages and undermine the power of workers generally.
«We, as workers, are at risk when we are exploited or susceptible to being exploited; Our solidarity transcends identities, borders, industries and union headquarters to create paths towards our collective dignity at work and for our families,” emphasize the participants in the march.
«The struggles of the present and the adversities of the past demand that a diaspora of voices come together on May Day. The fight for labor rights and justice for immigrants has always been intersectional. A strong labor movement requires opposing workplace abuses, including deportations. At this moment, it is necessary for our collective voices to repudiate the policies of isolation and contempt. We must confront policies that exploit and divide workers and the working class as a whole. Lasting progress depends on collective action.
Immigrants the backbone of NY
«International Workers’ Day is a reminder that immigrant rights and labor rights are one and the same. Immigrant workers are the backbone of New York. But despite their contributions, immigrant New Yorkers are being singled out, exploited, and separated from their families,” said Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). “Albany must stand up for our communities by passing the New York for All law and ensuring that no one lives in fear simply because they work to support their family,” he said.
For his part, Brendan Griffith, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, said “We always say that New York City is a “union city,” and that is because, in this city, working people stay together. Since Inauguration Day, corporate billionaires and the “Project 2025” agenda have fueled attacks on our rights and freedoms; This includes attacking workers based on our appearance, the language we speak, or the work we do, as well as undermining our First Amendment rights and freedom of association. “That goes against everything our city and our labor movement represent.”
In turn, Manny Pastreich, president of 32BJ SEIU, declared “May Day is a day when workers come together to fight against the forces that favor billionaires over those who make our cities run. Whether it was the fight for the 8-hour day 150 years ago, or the current fight against those who exert excessive influence over our government, we come together to create change. “A struggle that has taken center stage on May Day has been to raise the voices of immigrant workers, who are too often excluded and left behind.”
«Today, we stand united in solidarity with all the workers and immigrants who power our workplaces and our economies, and who enrich our communities and our country. Workers’ rights, immigrant rights, health care, our climate and democracy are under severe attack. It is more important than ever for workers to remind our nation of the power we exercise every day and to take our demands for justice to the streets,” he emphasized.
“As a mechanic, I used to drive freely throughout New York State, without fear, to work, support my family, and contribute to various communities. However, that freedom has been taken from me. Now, every day I fear the immigration authorities; I’m afraid an ICE agent will approach me, detain me, and take me into custody, even though I haven’t committed any wrongdoing,” said Edison, a Westchester resident and member of Make the Road New York.
“At this time, there is nothing stopping local law enforcement from collaborating with ICE, turning over our loved ones who are simply trying to live their lives. We must end this practice. On this International Workers’ Day, I express my support for the New York for All Law. Governor and Senate and Assembly leaders: You must provide real protections for all New Yorkers. They must make the New York for All Act a reality. Every day that passes without her is a day in which another family is destroyed,” he said.
The members of AFGE Local 3911, chaired by Suzanne Englot, also actively participated in the massive march, making their voices heard in protest; of the Alliance for a Greater New York and its executive director Theodore A. Moore; the National Nurses United (NNU) with Brother James Young, Navy veteran and director of NNU in Brooklyn; of Citizen Action of New York and its political director Ravo Root; of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists with its first vice president of the New York chapter, Andrew Hackman; and the Common Defense organization with its executive director Jose Vasquez, a veteran of the United States Army.
Also taking part were representatives of the CWA District 1 union and its vice president Dennis G. Trainor; from Friends of Standing Together USA with strategic director Tamara Gayer; from Food & Water Watch with senior organizer Eric Weltman; by Hands Off NYC and its co-founder Hae-Lin Choi; of the Council of Hotel and Gaming Unions, AFL-CIO chaired by Rich Maroko; from IATSE Local 839, The Animation Guild; and its president Danny Lin; of the Independent Drivers Guild and its president Brandon Sexton; of the Las Doñas organization with its executive director Tony Alarcon; from the New York Civil Liberties Union with organizer Valentina Amazonas; of the Worker Institute at ILR Cornell with its executive director Dr. Campos-Medina; and hundreds of community advocates.
