PORTLAND, Ore. -- Volunteers with the Portland May Day Coalition held a “family-friendly” May Day celebration in Lents Park on Tuesday, instead of their traditional May 1 march in downtown Portland.
Organizers said the change came partly as a response to the group’s permitted march in 2017. That march turned into what police called a riot, and included fires in the street, violence and eventually 25 arrests.
Launch video: May Day protest turns into riot in Portland
“Last year didn't go as planned. I think there was a lot of escalation on everyone's end,” said PMDC volunteer Angelica Lim. "There was a distraction with our message last year.”
Photos: May Day 2017 protest in Portland
Lim said the PMDC collectively decided this year to hold a May Day celebration at Lents Park. The event will include food, speakers and information on how community members could mobilize in the future.
Lim said the coalition’s message hasn't change from years past, but the event will be more accessible.
“It means workers’ rights, immigrants’ rights, and connecting those two things,” said Lim. “It means coming out and talking about fair treatment in the workplace, and how it affects everyone here in Oregon.”
Lim said some in the community were disappointed there wouldn’t be a march.
“We've received the criticisms. And we hear that,” said Lim. “Our biggest invitation is, if you all want to march, everyone should be able to march.”
Lim said marching just won’t be on the PMDC’s agenda for May Day. Celebrating, eating and, Lim hopes, empowering will be.
“Knowing your neighbor and coming together and really understanding what your issues are, putting them together and asking for more,” said Lim.
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