Capitol May Day rally draws a crowd

Hundreds gather in front of the Capitol for the annual May Day Rally & March, which seeks equality for all.

All ages, colors and species showed up for the May Day Rally and March at the Capitol today, demonstrating their support for the cause of equality for all.

Hundreds gathered in the street in front of the seat of state government, holding signs and wearing T-shirts seeking a spotlight for their cause.

There were groups seeking Driver's Cards for residents and urging them to vote for a referendum on the issue in November, while others sought a solid education for all children. Still other groups worked the crowd into a froth for immigration reform and better worker wage and safety protections.

Tim Stoelb, president of the Oregon School Employees Association, stood in front of a table laden with T-shirts and fliers. He and volunteers were there in support of immigration reform, having sent the membership, and anyone else who would listen, fliers and emails urging them to attend the rally and march.

"The issue is important to us because what's going on now is splitting families, which then has a significant impact on children and their ability to learn," Stoelb said. "It's hard for children to focus on their education when they are suffering the emotional trauma of having family members taken from them."

Stoelb said it's time for communities to understand that this an issue that affects more than people of color.

"One child's suffering hurts the entire class because it takes the teacher's time and attention away from the rest of the students," Stoelb said. "Children are impacted through no fault of their own. We want to reclaim the promise of education to help all children succeed."

There were plenty of children with their parents and other adults at the rally. There also were plenty of leashed dogs enjoying the sunshine and constant petting. Children clung to pant legs, scampered across the Capitol steps, and inched curiously toward an incense burner displayed in front of the Titlakawan group. The Aztecs, in full regalia, danced and played drums to lend their support to the idea of equality for all.

The polite crowd used crosswalks, and waved their protest signs in front of Oregon passing motorists until city of Salem public works staff and the Mobile Response Team -- Salem police officers on bicycles -- closed off Court Street NE in front of the Capitol. Also on hand to help with crowd control were Salem Police Department motorcycle officers.

Amid the frenzied crowd, there was much cheering while volunteer signature gathers seized the opportunity to register folks to vote. The Aztec drum group kept a steady beat.

The weather, which in years past has not cooperated, was textbook perfect with plenty of sunshine and a cool breeze. The crowd continued to swell approaching the noon hour, and the start of the march.