Scene at the port

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About 50 people , many of them independent truck drivers, gathered at the northwest corner of banning park in the port community of Wilmington for what was a subdued show of support for their 12,000 to 14,000 fellow truckers who are non-union. The event was organized Ernesto Nevarez, a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, a socialist workers group.

Surveying the men who were standing in a semi circle and listening to IWW organizers talk of the need to unite for their mutual benefits, Nevarez said, ‘I’m hearing about 95% of the 12,000 to 14,000 truckers stayed home, went to the march in Los Angeles or came here.’ When told that less than 1,000 marchers had shown up in downtown LA by mid-morning, Nevarez said, ‘Are you kidding me?’

Among them was truck driver Max Palma, 44, of Long Beach, who described himself as among ‘many, many truckers who are not working today.’ ‘I’m losing a day’s work, which is about $150 minus expenses of about the same amount,’ Palma said.

-Louis Sahagun in Wilmington