May Day Celebration In Union Square Park

May 1, 2012. Thousands of people gathered in Union Square Park on Tuesday in honor of May Day. Parks were used for a number of protests today including Bryant, Sara D. Roosevelt, Madison Square and Washington Square. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) click on images to enlarge.

A stage was erected at the Southern end of the Park.

Throngs of people representing a myriad of issues amassed in the park.

Signs of the Times

NYU's controversial massive expansion was represented.

The North End. Participants from the Professional Staff Congress /CUNY assemble near the pavilion before marching downtown.

Access Denied. The Pavilion. A preview of things to Come? The park's historic backdrop for rallies was cordoned off for the event. The Union Square Partnership and the City are attempting to install a restaurant at the location.

Marchers begin to head downtown from the North/Western part of the park.

A number of participants departed from the park's north end.

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Thousands Attend May Day Immigration Rally In Union Square Park

(Union Square Park May 1, 2010) Photos: © Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates

Arizona's new controversial immigration laws were the focus of May Day rallies being held around the city Saturday.

While an immigration rally has been held at the same time for the past six years in Union Square, many protesters say this year they were especially motivated by the new legislation, which requires police to question people about immigration status if there's reason to suspect they're in the country illegally, according to NY 1.

"Today is the day when immigrants across the country say talk is not enough; we need action," said Chung-Wha Hong of the New York Immigrants Coalition. "What happened in Arizona that legally sanctions racial profiling and makes it a crime to be non documented has set off a national spark."

"There is a real danger [of that law spreading], unless it's confronted and stopped right here," said a rally attendee.

In addition, protesters called on Washington to take immediate action on comprehensive immigration reform and more rights for immigrant workers.

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