Salem, OR – Hundreds of Oregonians gathered in Salem on Thursday to commemorate International Worker’s Day, or May Day, with a march that circled the blocks surrounding the Oregon State Capitol. The event, which drew people of all ages, from young adults to seniors, was a display of solidarity for labor rights and immigrant justice.
Participants in the demonstration wore a variety of symbols, from T-shirts emblazoned with labor union logos to traditional Indigenous headdresses. Many chanted “sí se puede,” the Spanish phrase meaning “yes we can,” while waving a diverse array of flags. Flags representing the United States, Mexico, LGBTQ+ pride, and Ukraine fluttered in the breeze, underscoring the broad scope of the march’s purpose. Among the crowd, signs appeared denouncing the policies of former President Donald Trump and calling for stronger protections for workers and immigrants.
The event was organized by Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), a Woodburn-based organization with a long history of advocating for farmworker and immigrant rights in Oregon. Founded in the 1970s, PCUN has remained a strong voice for these communities, particularly as federal immigration enforcement has ramped up under the Trump administration and beyond.
President Trump’s recent calls for withholding funding from sanctuary states like Oregon have intensified the stakes for local activists. Oregon, which has prohibited state and local officials from assisting federal immigration enforcement since 1987, strengthened its sanctuary protections during the first Trump administration. According to a 2022 Pew Research Center report, around 120,000 unauthorized immigrants reside in Oregon, making the state a key battleground in the national debate over immigration.
In response to the Trump administration’s attempts to revoke certain protections for immigrants, PCUN and several Oregon faith-based organizations filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Monday. The legal challenge follows the department’s decision to end a policy that had limited the reach of federal immigration officers within sanctuary states like Oregon.
Reyna Lopez, Executive Director of PCUN, addressed the crowd, reminding them of the inseparable link between labor rights and immigrant rights. “Today reminds us that labor rights and immigrant rights are intertwined,” Lopez told the attendees, emphasizing that workers, regardless of their immigration status, deserve protection and dignity.
The march, which was marked by chants, music, and speeches, stood as a testament to the enduring spirit of the labor and immigrant rights movements in Oregon. As the marchers made their way through the streets, they not only celebrated the achievements of workers but also renewed their commitment to resisting policies that undermine the rights of vulnerable communities.
For many in the crowd, the event was more than just a celebration—it was a call to action. With federal immigration policies increasingly targeting sanctuary states, Oregonians made it clear they will continue to fight for a future where workers and immigrants are treated with fairness and respect.
