Thousands March for Better Working and Living Conditions on May Day Xinhua
go to original May 2, 2013

Demonstrators seeking change in immigration policy march on May Day in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday. Some 2,000 demonstrators marched in May Day rallies calling for immigration reform, a key issue just north of the U.S.-Mexican border and the political backdrop for U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Mexico and Costa Rica on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (Joe Klamar/AFP)

Joined by students, thousands of workers took to the main streets of Mexico City on Labor Day on Wednesday, demanding better working and living conditions.

Mexico has one of Latin America's lowest minimum wages, at about 65 pesos (5 US dollars) a day, or $1,212 a year.

The demonstrators are from various labor and civic organizations affiliated with the mainly left-leaning National Workers Union, urging an end to the regular gasoline price hikes and rejecting labor reforms by President Enrique Pena Nieto who took office last November.

Marching along central Reforma Boulevard and its extension Juarez Avenue, they carried banners and placards that read "Stop police repression," "Stop union terrorism" and "We demand justice and better wages."

Around midday, the different labor groups representing flight staff,electricity workers and teachers, began gathering at the city's main square - the Constitution Plaza.

Although police were out in force to protect iconic city landmarks such as the Palace of Fine Arts and the National Pawnshop, a handful of hooded self-proclaimed anarchists managed to evade police barrier and graffiti the walls of the National Post Office.

Authorities have not released any reports of property damage or arrests.

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