Thousands of SoCal workers gather for May Day rally in downtown LA

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Thousands of protesters converged on downtown Los Angeles in participation of May Day rallies Sunday afternoon.

Marches were held across the world, with one of the largest rallies being held in L.A.

Protesters in Southern California called for immigrant and workers' rights, like many union members around the world.

This year, U.S. workers also protested against what they see as hateful presidential campaign rhetoric following remarks by Donald Trump.

"This means this is the power of the people, truly I think the rhetoric surrounding this election cycle has been very hateful, has been very negative and this is really a response to show that we're not going to react with the same hate. We're going to react by saying we're voting for hope and not hate," May Day marcher Lizette Escobedo said.

Trump has argued he is not racist or anti-immigrant.

The downtown L.A. rally began just after 1 p.m. at West 11th and South Figueroa streets.

A separate May Day protest in Boyle Heights was also being held near E Cesar East Chavez Avenue and North Mathews Street.

Crowds of dozens of students, families and members of the Centro CSO: Community Service Organization, Union de Vecinos, Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council and more united to rally for the legalization for all, the end to police killings and to stand against Donald Trump, according to a press release issued Sunday morning.

The protest was expected to point out that immigrant families, especially Latinos, undergo ICE abuse and police brutality.