On May Day, the Culinary Union is set to hold a rally themed “We Believe in Us” on the Las Vegas Strip. The union, which is the largest organization of immigrant workers in Nevada, announced that thousands of hospitality workers would gather to show support for immigrant workers on Thursday, May 1st, at 5 pm.
Diana Valles, President of the Culinary Union, is expected to lead the rally, which will feature participation from thousands of union members and community partners from the Nevada Immigrant Coalition. The coalition includes the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada and Make the Road Nevada, among others.
The demonstration responds to recent increased activities by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Nevada, and focuses on showcasing immigrant workers’ significant contributions to various sectors, including hospitality, construction, agriculture, and healthcare. The Culinary Union criticized the Trump Administration’s deportation policies. “The mass deportation of workers who are otherwise law-abiding, tax-paying, and contributing members of our community is the wrong direction for Nevada and for this country.”
Highlighting a particular incident, the union described the deportation case of Kilmar Garcia, a union sheet metal apprentice deported to El Salvador despite being legally present in the U.S. “His union fought back, and the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the government to bring Kilmar home, but Trump is fighting against bringing him back. No family should go through that.”
The union outlined the protections it has achieved in its contracts, emphasizing due process for workers at unionized establishments on the Las Vegas Strip. Contracts include provisions ensuring job security for detained employees and notifications to the union about immigration warrants.
In calling for solidarity, the Culinary Union referenced its long-standing commitment to immigrant rights and underscored its role in aiding thousands to obtain citizenship. “This country was built by those who believed in the American Dream, and we won’t let fear-mongering or extremist views distract or divide us.”
The union stated the overall aim of such events is to protect workers’ rights and highlight the essential role of immigrant workers in the community and economy. “Immigrants are essential to the fabric of this country and to the power of working people in our state. Immigrant workers contribute, build, and belong.”
