Hundreds march from Capitol to city hall to rally for labor rights

AUSTIN, Texas — Hundreds marched from the Texas State Capitol to Austin City Hall Thursday evening, followed by a rally for labor rights in honor of May Day, also known as International Workers Day.

“Angry, furious. We’re not going to stand for it,” Organizer Melody Tremallo said. “It’s attacking our very livelihoods. A lot of us have to pay rent and utilities, childcare, and we’re all living paycheck to paycheck these days.”

It’s a familiar protest route from one center of power in Austin to the other.

“Things will not change in this country unless you get out on the streets and change them.” Temi, a protester who didn’t want to give her last name, said.

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May Day as a labor movement dates back to the late 1880s when protesters fought for the eight-hour workday we know today.

“It honors the sacrifice of labor leaders and members as they fought for workers’ rights,” Tremallo said.

Now, many are worried their labor freedoms are under attack.

“We got unions here, we got teachers here, we got just regular old community members here, folks that are tired of the oligarchy dressed in blue and red and just want to change,” Temi said.

For Jesus Barrera, whose grandparents were immigrants, labor and immigration go hand in hand.

“They dig ditches, they do construction work, they mow lawns, they clean homes, they raise up children,” Barrera said. “These are jobs that a lot of Americans do not want to do. So they’re not taking jobs away from Americans.”

Others, like protest organizer Melody Tremallo, are calling for the impeachment of President Donald Trump and the removal of his billionaire allies.

“The President is currently attacking, stripping workers’ rights as we know them,” Tremallo said. “He is not union-friendly, as he has shown in the past and present, and he will eliminate a lot of protections for workers.”

It might be May Day, but they all say the movement is only getting started.

“Get out of here. It’s a good time, it’s a safe time,” Temi said. “We need you in the streets. Join the fight.”