Immigrant Rights Groups Plan 3 'May Day' Marches

Getting around downtown Los Angeles will be a difficult task Wednesday, as thousands of people take to the streets for a series of "May Day'' marches supporting rights for immigrants and pushing Congress to overhaul the nation's immigration system and end deportations that divide families.

The annual marches traditionally draw throngs of participants and block major traffic routes throughout much of the day. At least three separate marches are expected to take place, and some streets are expected to close as early as 6 a.m.

A pair of marches are planned along Broadway, with one beginning at noon and another at 4:30 p.m. The primary march is the midday event planned by the ANSWER Coalition, beginning at Olympic Boulevard and Broadway, continuing north on Broadway to Cesar Chavez Avenue, east to Main Street, then ending near Olvera Street, with a large rally planned on Main Street between Temple and Alameda streets.

The second march, planned by the Southern California Immigration Coalition will step off at 4:30 p.m. at Olympic and Broadway and move north to Broadway and Third Street. A third march is expected to begin around 3:30 p.m. at Central Avenue and Seventh Street, then along Fifth Street to Broadway, and north to First Street.

Participants could begin assembling for the various marches as early as 7 a.m.

Motorists are advised to expect traffic detours and delays. Some offramps from the Hollywood (101) Freeway will likely be closed at Spring Street and Broadway.

Metro officials said a variety of bus routes will be disrupted throughout the day, and passengers should anticipate delays in the central business district. The agency advised people to use the rail system if at all possible.

Information about Metro detours can be found at www.metro.net. The city's Department of Transportation site has a map of planned marches and street closures at http://trafficinfo.lacity.org/html/2013Mayday.html.

Program of activities according to the The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles:

La Placita Olvera, Main Street, Los Angeles
5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. – Community members and leaders gather to invite Angelenos to join May Day festivities.  Families and leaders open for interviews.
 
Corner of Olympic Blvd. and Broadway, downtown Los Angeles
11:00 – 12:00 noon – community begins gathering at corner Olympic/Broadway
1:00 p.m. – Pre-march program with speakers, musical numbers, Olympic/Broadway
2:00 p.m. – March starts at Olympic/Broadway.  March moves north on Broadway to Cesar Chavez Ave.  At Cesar Chavez Ave. march moves east to Main St.  At Main Street, march moves south.  March ends at Main Street, in front of Pico House and Placita Olvera Church.
3:30 p.m. – post-march program starts with speakers and musical numbers, Placita Olvera Church
4:30 p.m. – May Day festivities end.

- With informtion from City News Service

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