March for unity

Several hundred people rallied for immigrants rights and marched in celebration of International Workers’ Day and May Day yesterday afternoon in the South Park Blocks.

The event, put on by the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition, has become an annual tradition on May 1, with many gathering near Park Avenue and Main Street for a rally featuring music and speakers, before engaging in a march around the downtown area.

The festivities ended at the First Unitarian Church in Southwest Portland, where organizers held a party featuring live music and food.

Every year people from all over the country rally on May Day about immigration issues. The Portland gathering reflected several sentiments among those who attended. Much of the rally focused on increasing immigrants’ rights.

“Recently the celebration has become synonymous with the immigrant rights movement,” said Shizuko Hashimoto, who is the coordinator of the Portland Central American Consolatory Committee and also served as the emcee of the rally. “It has almost become an immigration rights day, but it is also a day to celebrate international workers worldwide.”

While most in attendance echoed the general feelings expressed about immigration rights, other protesters demonstrated their stance about the war in Iraq, the upcoming presidential election and other social and political issues. Some held signs asking for a stop to the war on immigrants, while others carried signs that called for the end of I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids.

Harris Browning, who recently moved to Portland from Miami, Fla., brought his adolescent daughter to the protest for educational purposes.

“I wanted her to hear about some of the things that she might not get in public education,” Browning said. “This country was founded by immigrants, and we should continue to embrace that.”

The activities were aimed at bringing awareness to the general public while increasing networking opportunities for those in attendance.

“There is a huge anti-immigration sentiment here, so we hope to bring awareness to that issue,” Hashimoto said.

Union workers across the world celebrated yesterday by taking the day off work, but some in attendance were not that fortunate. Cesar Viveros had to rush to the event after his work shift had ended.

“I feel fortunate to be here in this country,” Viveros said. “My life is so much better here.”

For Browning, Viveros and many others at the rally, the opportunity to unite in a peaceful demonstration was extremely important.

Hashimoto, who has been working with the event since 2002, also shared the urgency of feeling behind the rally.

“This is one of the most important issues in the world right now,” she said, “and particularly in our country.”