The latest in a series of organized local political protests against the Trump administration is set to take place on Thursday, with protesters expected to be waving signs on Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, to be followed by a rally and performance at the Resource Center for Nonviolence.
50501 and Indivisible, both national progressive organizations with local representation, are joining in the protest, to be sponsored by Monterey Bay Central Labor Council. The May 1 event is part of a nationwide “May Day” protest, focusing on the plight of working people under Trump policies.
The public is invited to join in the protest, to take place between 5 and 6 p.m. on Thursday on the sidewalks lining Ocean Street, near the Resource Center for Nonviolence at 612 Ocean St. At 6 p.m., local song leaders, including Aileen Vance, Coleen Douglas and Russell Brutsché, will lead the audience in songs of labor rights and resistance. Admission is $10, and will benefit the nonprofit Center for Farmworker Families.
Other May Day political activities include a “Day of Action” rally at the Watsonville Plaza at 4 p.m., and a strike line at UC Santa Cruz to protest University of California labor policies at 10 a.m. at the main campus entrance.
Health care, research, custodial, transportation and technical workers at UC Santa Cruz will be holding their own daylong strike on May 1 to protest what they say is the university’s unlawful conduct. It is the the third labor action this year by two unions representing the workers, the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299.
The day before the May 1 protest, Indivisible Santa Cruz will be holding its latest general meeting to discuss strategies and future actions. The public is invited to the meeting, to take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the London Nelson Center.
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