"On May 1, (International) Labor Day, let nobody go to work!"

That was the plea yesterday by New York leaders of the African-American community, in solidarity with the growing movement for immigrant rights which is being organized all over the country.

"We are all one family, and we are united in this struggle for immigrants and workers," said City Councilmember Charles Barron (D-East New York).

"We stand with the undocumented immigrants in their demand for legalization," Barron added.

With Barron on the steps of City Hall were Brenda Stokely of the Million Man March; Chris Silvera, president of the Teamsters' National Black Caucus; Juan José Gutiérrez, one of the organizers of the Los Angeles march for immigrants' rights; and other community leaders.

The May 1 rally will take place at Union Square Park, located at 14 Street and Broadway in Manhattan, beginning at 4 p.m.

Larry Holmes of the Troops Out Now coalition has supported the May 1 work stoppage, saying that African Americans know what a boycott is, pointing to civil rights leaders Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks.

"Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks didn't make a boycott for a day, but for nearly a year, and if they had not done so, we would not today enjoy the rights we have," said Holmes.

According to Omar Henríquez of the Workers' Occupational Health and Safety Committee, studies show that on a national level immigrants contribute $90 billion a year to the economy, while the resources they use amount to $5 billion.

"Besides that, immigrants are projected to add $500 billion to Social Security. The reality is that many U.S. citizens are approaching 70, and the Social Security Administration does not have enough money to pay these people. There are undocumented workers who pay Social Security but cannot use the benefits; this money is being used to pay those people who are now retiring," explained Henríquez.

He added that a boycott is being called for May 1 (everyone is asked neither to go to work nor to make any purchases on that day) to demonstrate immigrants' economic power, "because undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars for goods and services, which also helps the economy."

Since the massive demonstrations for immigrant rights in cities across the country, activists have asked that the next step be a national day of action on May 1.

Organizers are calling on immigrant workers and their supporters to leave work and school, not to buy or sell anything, and to gather and march for the rights of immigrants.