The Horizon Is Where Our Dreams Live, But The Present Is Where Our Reality Lives–May Day 2025
We are facing skyrocketing costs of living, shrinking access to vital resources, and growing threats to our rights and dignity. Yet in the face of these challenges, California’s true wealth shines through: its people. Our cultural diversity, our solidarity, and our determination are the real gold behind the Golden State.
Last week, thousands of us marched in the streets of California to honor our communities, our vibrant workers, and resilient immigrants. We were united in purpose and voice from the Central Valley to the Bay Area, from Los Angeles to the border. Californians marched to demand that our elected officials stand with the people—not the billionaires, corporations, and special interests.
Historically, May Day—celebrated on May 1st—has been a day of international labor solidarity. May Day became a symbol of workers’ rights in the late 19th century. In 1886, more than 300,000 workers across the United States went on strike to demand an eight-hour workday. Today, May Day is recognized and celebrated globally as a day to champion labor rights, protest exploitation, and demand fair working conditions.
The theme for this year’s March was “One Struggle, One Fight–Workers Unite” because we know that workers, immigrants, and Black and Brown communities are stronger together. Community Coalition mobilized a South LA Contingency to:
- Unite workers
- Fight fascism
- Demand legalization for all immigrants
- Stop deportations
- And resist tyranny, especially with the ongoing attacks on our communities by this current administration.
Community Coalition’s President & CEO Alberto Retana addressed the crowd of thousands who gathered to march in downtown Los Angeles. 
“When I opened my eyes, I knew that millions of other people, all over the planet and this country, also opened their eyes with the same intention of participating in our demonstrations… in the streets, in our cities and towns, shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot, marching forward, toward the horizon of justice, the horizon of freedom,” said Retana. “The horizon cannot be seen with the eye, but it is felt in our hearts—we see it clearly with our imagination—a day when the common person lives with dignity—with fair wages, with fair housing—without concern for children or the elderly. On this day, the first of May, the day awoke full of hope and with a slightly clearer horizon. The horizon is where our dreams live. But the present is where our reality lives.”
Retana went on to encourage march participants to stand together against authoritarianism. “The solution to defending democracy is our united people. Our strength lies in the coalition with African Americans, Asians, the Indigenous community, the working class—and with whites. Our family, when united, always wins.”