Sacramento State students joined the community to protest outside the State Capitol Thursday evening  in honor of International Workers’ Day.

 

As different cities and countries protested a variety of issues involving labor, Sacramento focused their rallies specifically on deportations, taxing the rich and fair wages.  

 

Eric Alfaro, President of Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, voiced his support for undocumented workers at the rally.

 

The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement is a national  organization that strives to give a voice for Latinos and supports social justice.

 

Alfaro spoke of the reality of the undocumented workers. He said they are often exploited of their fair pay but do not speak up in fear of deportation.

 

“The way we get them out of the shadows is to call for a stop for deportations,” Alfaro said. “We want to give the undocumented workers a voice and support if something may happen to them.”

 

Alfaro said there have been two million deportations under Obama, marking the largest deportation of people in U.S history.

 

According to the Industrial Workers of the World website, International Workers’ Day began in the late 19 century when workers struggles to gain a eight day work day and instead worked 10 to 16 hours in unsafe conditions.

 

The American Federation of Labor held its national convention in 1884 where they proclaimed that eight hours would constitute a legal work day beginning May 1, 1886, in which the following year local unions began participating in protests and demonstrations to support the new proclamation.

 

Communications major Denise Fernandez went to the rally to support the workers and the 99 percent of the U.S

 

“We are here to recognize the labor of the workers,” Fernandez said. “Even though the workers are given rights, they are being exploited and their work isn’t being recognized.”

 

Sac State alumna Yeimi Lopez and External Organizer with Service Employees International Union presented her speech in Spanish and directed her attentions toward the Spanish speaking community.

 

“I wanted to let everyone know that it is up to the individual,” Lopez said. “It’s about being an example to the children to show them how we fight for better lives and better wages.”

 

While some speakers presented issues that are currently occurring,ethnic studies major Nyree Hall warned students and the younger generation of the problems that awaits them in the future.

 

“The work force is a very real world with a lot of problems that we’re going to enter,” Hall said. “It’s important for us to be informed about those issues and about those who are fighting for us to help solve them.”

 

Alfaro said he is glad to see an increase of Sac State student participation in rallies and in political issues.

 

“They’re students right now and once they graduate, they are going to hit the workforce as a working person,” Alfaro said. “Depending on whatever situation they end up in, our message is that everyone needs a say in politics and at work.”

 

He said  it is important to inform students of the reality of the work force since many go through college without knowing the actual issues behind it.

 

“Labor is a natural ally with students,” Alfaro said. “The issues of students need to be the issue of labor because real change is going to happen with students.”