Members of SEIU 503 joined activists and allies from Causa, CareWorks, APANO, PCUN, and dozens of other community and labor organizations in Salem to celebrate International Workers Day on May 1. This year’s May Day rally and march focused on defending Oregon’s 30-year-old sanctuary laws which are under attack by an initiative petition filed in late April.

During the Rally, Governor Brown took two important steps towards preserving Oregon’s sanctuary status by signing Senate Bill 1563 and House Bill 4111. SB 1563 provides undocumented students in Oregon continued access to tuition equity, while HB 4111 allows the DMV to renew and replace limited-term driver’s licenses for DACA and Temporary Protected Status recipients whose status may have expired due to federal immigration policy changes.

Hundreds gathered at the State Capitol to hear from Oregon House Rep. Teresa Alonso Leon, Governor Kate Brown, CareWorks Activist Jan Montes, SEIU 503 Civil & Human Rights Committee Co-Chair Guillermo Romero, and more. After the rally, hundreds took to the streets to march throughout downtown Salem to demonstrate that when we are united, Oregon can become a better place for all.