Dozens of activists and labor organizers flooded New York City streets on International Workers Day (May 1), demanding stronger workplace protections and permanent citizenship pathways for immigrant laborers. The protest, backed by unions and community groups, highlighted systemic inequities exposed during the pandemic.
“Black and brown frontline workers kept society running during COVID-19, yet they’re still denied basic rights and recognition,” organizers stated on the event page.
Protesters told demonstrators that immigrant workers in the U.S. frequently face exploitation due to visa dependencies and language gaps. Many called for cross-sector union alliances to combat wage theft and unsafe conditions. “Unions aren’t just about contracts – they’re about dignity,” one attendee emphasized.
The demonstration drove home growing demands for policy reforms as global migration trends reshape labor markets worldwide.
Reference(s):
'No worker deserves to be exploited,' NYC protesters call for union
cgtn.com
