Under the auspices of the Frente Unitario del Pueblo (People's United Front), the march was sponsored by several unions, social service organizations, and student and political groups. The largest contingent came from Service Employees Industrial Union (SEIU) Local 1877. United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 428 provided logistical support for the action.

Handmade signs carried by participants in the march raised many of the demands of the action, such as opposition to temporary work programs, for a world without borders, and an end to police brutality, and access to higher education, housing, and employment. Members of the SEIU carried a banner and signs supporting Justice for Janitors, an organizing arm of the union. The protest was one of many demanding the state end its requirement of a valid Social Security number in order to receive or renew a driver's license.

Several participants in the march had worked under the bracero program of 1942-64, which organized Mexican workers to labor under harsh conditions on temporary work permits for mostly capitalist agricultural companies in the United States. The workers are seeking restitution of the 10 percent of their wages that was supposedly placed in accounts in Mexico. The workers never saw the money. According to Cecilio Santillana, who worked under the bracero program, a federal judge in San Francisco will hear their case September 14.

José Hernández, who lives in San Jose, has participated in several demonstrations over the last few months. "I had never really thought about participating in anything like this, but the marches for a driver's license opened my eyes. I'm a lot more aware of what is going on."

Adiya Hines, an activist with Students For Justice at DeAnza Community College, addressed the rally, quoting Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) figures stating that 27 percent of prisoners in the United States today are immigrants. She pointed out that immigrant workers are being made into scapegoats for the problems of this society, when in fact "the authorities are allowing immigrants into this country just for their cheap labor and their tax money." In an interview, Hines stated, "I would like to see equality for all people, from a fair living wage to access to medical care and education. There are too many resources in this country not to do this." She added that she thinks this will only be possible in a socialist society, and that "reforms won't be enough. We do need a revolution."

Plumbers, Steamfitters and Refrigeration Workers Local 393 member Mark Glass said, "I try to get the union involved in events like this. It's important to support any fight for justice, and especially to get union support." The local has sent delegations to participate in a march to free Mumia Abu-Jamal, framed up and on death row in Pennsylvania, as well as a march held in April in San Jose demanding an end to police brutality.

Speaking on behalf of the Socialist Workers Party, Deborah Liatos said the march "is part of the fight of workers around the world for justice." Liatos pointed out that by requiring the Social Security number, the government is taking another step toward creating a national identification card that "will help them control the movements of working people."

José Sandoval, the leader of Centro Azteca de Información, which has been organizing demonstrations for access to drivers licenses, told the rally, "We are all here, united, fighting for the same thing. We need to remember those who have died in the desert trying to cross the border." Centro Azteca has been gathering signatures to present to the California legislature supporting legalization and a drivers license.

A bill that seeks to grant licenses to those who are in process of getting residency is before the legislature this fall. In an interview, Sandoval said, "it doesn't do anything for most of us because we don't have the 'proof' they ask for. We are pressing to change the law altogether so those of us who produce the wealth can have some rights."

Two farm workers, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, came to the rally. They earn $8 per hour and work up to 70 hours a week with no overtime premium harvesting apples and grapes. "I came to the demonstration because I want to progress, to go forward. I need the driver's license and the Social Security card," said one.

Another farm worker from the Salinas area, who asked that his name not be used, described an action May 14 in the broccoli fields where he works. Sixteen broccoli cutters carried out a one-day strike and won a raise from $6.50 to $7 per hour for all 250 who work at the farm. He briefly addressed the rally in Mixteco, the language native to San José de las Flores in Oaxaca where he and his coworkers come from. "If we fight together we will win," he said. "¡Sí se puede!" (Yes we can).  
 
 
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