“What’s going on outside?” a NAC tutor asked as chants were being said and posters were hung in the air in Downtown Santa Ana. People walked down the sidewalks of Downtown Santa Ana, as business owners stared outside their windows.

People came together on May 1, 2018 to raise awareness of issues that the community of Santa Ana has faced, including workers’ rights and immigration rights. They also promote quality education in schools, LGBTQ+ rights and the engagement police officers have had with the people of Santa Ana. Those who marched were people of all backgrounds: community organizers, employees, and allies with posters and banners, and even news journalists.

Santa Ana, predominantly Hispanic, has declared itself a sanctuary city and has taken initiative to provide legal resources and protection to immigrants. However, many raids have occurred which claimed to look for drunk drivers, but have deported many people at El Toro, a supermarket, in Santa Ana. This has frightened people to leave home if it’s not important.

Working conditions have also been the pinnacle of conversation among many. El Super,  a grocery store, has been under boycott since 2014. They operate in California, Arizona, and Nevada. The federal government has issued many complaints for their violation of workers’ rights that have spoken up against the store. Employees have demanded for a more fair contract: higher wages, sick leave, and affordable health insurance. Since the protests, El Super representative, Jaleesa Diaz, let out a statement that they had, “ongoing commitment to cooperative, good faith negotiations with the union to reach a mutually beneficial outcome at our seven unionized stores.” However, there have been several protests in 2017 protesting the lack of attention to the needs the employees have been asking for.

However, workers’ rights go beyond the city of Santa Ana and have affected employees where thousands of SAUSD students have or will be attending in the fall: the UC’s. On May 8, 2018, thousands of UC employees, and ally students rallied at all UC campuses. Senior Miguel Marquez has witnessed first-hand the not-so-best conditions many employees have worked in. Marquez’ father, Ernest Marquez, has worked at UCI for over more than 20 years in the dormitory housing.

“My dad barely makes $28,000 a year, and they aren’t paid enough,” Marquez stated. He also realized the lack of resources undocumented employees have versus those who are documented. The UC’s, specifically UCI, have been widely known for advocating for undocumented students and their families in adding resources such as counseling, legal defense at no cost, academic services, and financial aid help. Undocumented employees don’t receive the same benefits others do even if the work is done the same.

Protests should be expected throughout this month to get the attention of the boards of the universities. There is a long road ahead for those who will decide to continue to work at the UC’s. Whether employees will receive better hours and wages has yet to be determined by each school if they are to come to an agreement at all.

Workers’ Day has made national press because of the employees who have spoken up against unfair regulations. Whether they’re on sidewalks or in university hallways, people around California and the nation will continue to voice their beliefs to make change for the future.