Labor groups show off their solidarity at annual Labor Day march in Wilmington
By David Rice, Correspondent
“I come from a union family,” said Larry Barragan. “This is a lifestyle for me.”
And on Monday, more than 6,000 people marched, cheered, chanted and lined the streets of the blue-collar community of Wilmington to show solidarity with that sentiment on Labor Day, at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition Solidarity Parade and Picnic Rally.
“It’s what I’m about, said Barragan, the event’s chairman. “I was born and raised in San Pedro. I do this out of dedication for the union. It is a labor of love.”
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More then 65 labor unions and other pro-worker groups made a strong showing at the 39th annual event. The crowd was expected to top 6,000 people, event chairman Barragan said, streaming in to watch the parade or enjoy the barbecue afterward.
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“This event is not just about unions,” said Barragan, representing United Steel Workers Union #675 from Carson. “We want to make this a free event where people from the community can come out and have a good time.”
The parade concluded at Banning Park, where a rally featured live music, a BBQ lunch and scores of booths where union leaders stumped for their cause.
Floyd Bryan, with the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union (ILWU), has been a part of this event for more than 20 years.
“We basically keep the economy in the country running by unloading and loading the ships,” Bryan said. “There are so many jobs in the Southern California area (that depend on) the ports and the ships that come in.”
“This is a day that we created and it showcases what a working man and woman do for this country,” said Salvador Vazquez, president of Machinist Union #947 from Long Beach. “We want to show the community that we have solidarity between the union and we are not going anywhere.”