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Shaun Harkin

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May 3, 2011, 8:35:27 AM5/3/11

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Bacon <dba...@igc.org>
Date: Mon, May 2, 2011 at 11:42 PM
Subject: may day march in san jose for immigrant and labor rights
To: dba...@igc.org

SAN JOSE MARCHES FOR MAY DAY, IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, AND AGAINST THE FIRING OF 300 WORKERS

SAN JOSE, CA - 1MAY10 - Immigrants, workers, union members and community activists marched on May Day in San Jose. Marchers protested attacks on immigrants, unions and the rights of workers. The march was organized by the May First Coalition, part of a national network called May Day United. Many marchers were immigrants from Mexico and Central America, where May Day is celebrated as a workers' holiday every year. Some marchers called for support for the Dignity Campaign, a proposal for immigration reform based on labor and human rights.

As part of the May Day march and protest for workers' rights, Mexican supermarket (or mercado) workers and union organizers protest the firing of 300 employees by the Mexican market chain, Mi Pueblo. They sang and protested inside a San Jose store, and then joined the May Day march outside An estimated 10,000 mercado workers work in the Bay Area and most are recent immigrants from Latin America and Asia. Workers lack proper meal and rest breaks, earn poverty wages, and often endure abuse.