MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Madison Police Department estimates around 3,000 people participated in Friday’s May Day march.
The protest featured a Mariachi band performance and speeches on immigrant solidarity, worker’s rights and increasing public school fuding.
Teachers, students, community members and politicians participated in Friday’s march.
“We need to step up for public schools, and we need to fund them so we can provide the services we need for kids,” said kindergarten teacher Cheri Watt.
Madison Police Department estimates around 3,000 people participated in Friday’s May Day march.(Madison Police Department)
MPD was one of several police agencies preparing for the immigrant rights and labor solidarity march.
MPD said the march started between 12:40-1 p.m. at three locations in Madison- East High School, West High School and UW-Madison’s Library Mall- before heading down to the Wisconsin State Capitol.
MPD said there was some minor traffic back-ups at the peak of the marches.
Police said everyone remained cooperative and communicated with officers.
Twenty MPD officers were assigned to be at the march, with additional officers from UW-Madison Police Department and the Capitol Police Department also joining in. There was also a unified command post set up to help officers.
Some school districts in the Madison area canceled classes ahead of Friday’s marches, including Madison Metropolitan School District and Sun Prairie Area School District.
MMSD made the decision to cancel classes for May 1 on April 24. Madison Teachers Inc. shared they received signatures from 70% of staff supporting participation in “A Day Without Immigrants.” MMSD said the low staff turnout would affect the safety of students, saying there would be insufficient supervision and support for them in school.
Sun Prairie school district leaders announced the decision Thursday to cancel classes for Friday. The district said a rise of absences recorded over the last several days lead to their decision.
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