The 50501 Movement held protests across the nation Thursday for International Workers Day.
Over 100 protesters led by 50501 GNV, Indivisible and Gainesville Women for Democracy gathered at Depot Park to take part in the Mayday protest.
Former City Commissioner and 50501 GNV member David Arreola was one of the main organizers of the protest and introduced speakers from various activist groups.
Alachua County Labor Coalition member Tyler Forrest said, “All across this country, working people are rising up and demanding the respect they deserve. They deserve it because working people have built this country…. They used to send the National Guard to crush striking miners. They would beat them. They even killed some of them. But our forefathers did not back down, and neither will we…. Without organized labor, there is no middle class. Without unions, there is no justice at work. Without solidarity, we are nothing, but with solidarity, together we are unstoppable…. This is about taking what we have earned: fair pay, safe jobs, respect, and a future that is worth fighting for. They got the money, but we have the numbers. They’ve got the lawyers, but we have all of us. When we stand up, nothing can stop us.”…