May Day: Thousands expected to participate in rally, march from MacArthur Park to DTLA

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Rallies are planned across Southern California to mark International Workers' Day, also known as May Day.

One of the largest marches and rallies will take place at MacArthur Park starting at 10 a.m. Friday. Thousands of demonstrators are then expected to make their way to Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles.

This year's theme is "Solo el Pueblo Shuts It Down!," with the rights of workers and immigrants being the focus of demonstrations nationwide.

"That's because we're the workers. We're the ones that run this city. Without us, these companies wouldn't have anything," said Erika Schwerdt with the nonprofit Strength Based Community Change. "It's important to remember that May Day is the reason why we have an 8-hour work day."

Organizers are urging people to skip work, school or shopping in solidarity.

"We want to support our community with an economy that works for everyone. We want to make sure that billionaires are taxed so that we provide for social structures that are needed like education, healthcare, community support," Schwerdt added.