The workers of New York City gathered Manhattan on May 1 for a May Day march and rally. May Day has become an international workers’ holiday but began in the fight for the 8-hour workday in Chicago in the late 19th century.

This year’s NYC event, which was sponsored by Labor Rights, Immigrant Rights and Jobs For All and endorsed by numerous unions and community groups, began with a rally in the streets just south of City Hall. The program included numerous speakers that represented the vast diversity of New York’s working class.

“We do so much for our residents,” said Annagail Brown Jones, a resident coordinator at the Mary Manning Walsh Nursing Home in New York City. “Wages are low as it is. It’s important for me to be here today to show support. I see unity and that’s what’s important.”

“We salute each and every worker on our day – May Day – workers’ day,” 1199SEIU Executive VP Estela Vazquez told the loudly cheering crowd. “Today and for the last six years we have shown the 1% that we don’t need them to give us a holiday. We will take our own holiday.”

Vazquez called on Congress to reform the nation’s immigration system and stop the government’s inhumane deportation of undocumented immigrants.

After the rally marchers made their way down Broadway. They carried banners representing scores of unions, community groups and progressive organizations waved and fluttered under the perfect spring evening sky. Placards called for an end to deportations, an increase in the minimum wage and economic justice for working people.

“It’s very hard right now,” said Merite Santilien, a CNA at Manhattan’s Terence Cardinal Cooke Healthcare Center, who cheered speakers at the rally as she stood among union brothers and sisters. “But on days like this it feels like things are changing.”