Hundreds march for immigrant and worker rights in Seattle

Hundreds of people participated Wednesday in a May Day march for worker rights and immigrant rights in Seattle.

Organizers of the 20th annual March for Immigrant and Workers Rights said that the event was meant to promote justice, equality and awareness, according to local TV station KIRO 7. 

{mosads}The event began with a rally at noon local time and was followed by a two-hour march, with another rally scheduled afterwards.

It was put on by a community organizing group called El Comité according to a Facebook event.

“This year we march once again to reclaim our struggles as immigrants, workers, and without borders,”  said a description of the event. “We are here refusing to be victims of the few who benefit from this system and the impoverishment, displacement and death that they wreak upon on our peoples.

The Washington state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union also participated.  

TOMORROW: Join us for the 20th Annual May Day March for the Rights of Immigrants and Workers led by El Comité.

“Walk with me for justice,
Walk with me for immigrant rights,
Walk with me for labor rights,
Walk with me because this is our struggle!”https://t.co/sYDFPrgbIv pic.twitter.com/uN83M9ZYI3

— ACLU of Washington (@ACLU_WA) May 1, 2019

City police advised commuters to leave extra time Wednesday, as both the march and a Mariners game were occurring downtown. 

Attending the May Day March for Workers & Immigrant Rights tomorrow? Or the 3:40 PM @Mariners game? Regular downtown commuter just trying to get home? Allow extra time & consider walking, biking or taking @kcmetrobus @SoundTransit. #Catbus has the day off & won’t be in service. pic.twitter.com/4OeOYxi0He

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) April 30, 2019

Officials expected the march to be mostly peaceful, KIRO reported, nothing that there had been “unplanned events” in previous years. 

May Day is a May 1 holiday celebrating worker rights around the world.