LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of May Day marchers chanting slogans and carrying signs — and at least one Donald Trump piñata — took to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday calling for immigrant and worker rights and decrying what they see as hateful presidential campaign rhetoric.
It was one of several events in cities nationwide to call for better wages for workers, an end to deportations, and support for an Obama administration plan to give work permits to immigrants who are in the country illegally but whose children are citizens.
‘‘We want them to hear our voices, to know that we are here and that we want a better life, with jobs,’’ said Norberto Guiterrez, a 46-year-old immigrant from Mexico who joined families, union members, and students who marched through downtown.
Demonstrators repeatedly criticized Trump for his remarks about immigrants, workers, and women. The leading Republican presidential contender has called for a wall on the border with Mexico and chided Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton over gender.
‘‘In addition to fighting for workers’ rights, we are fighting for our dignity this time around, our self-respect,’’ said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.
‘‘We can certainly encourage folks to look at what they’re watching, what they’re hearing and have them represent themselves and their families — whether they can vote or not — and say, ‘We are not the rapists. We are not the criminals you are talking about. And we are quite good for this country,’’’ Cabrera said.
Trump says he is not racist or anti-immigrant; he simply wants the United States to stop illegal immigration and control its borders.
Around the world, union members have traditionally marched on May 1 for workers’ rights. In the United States, the annual events have become a rallying point for immigrants and their supporters since massive demonstrations in 2006 against a proposed immigration enforcement bill.
In recent years, the marches have waned in size in US cities, but the tradition has continued.
In Seattle, hundreds of people marched through the city’s central district to downtown to advocate for immigrants and workers’ rights. Steve Wilske, the assistant police chief, called the afternoon march ‘‘very successful.’’ The event was followed by an unpermitted protest by dozens of anti-capitalist demonstrators that became unruly. Police reported being struck by sticks and batons and seeing some property damage, including broken windows at a residential building.
Bicycle police in riot gear helped push the groups south of downtown, where it began to disperse.
Seattle traditionally sees large, disruptive May Day gatherings. Last year police arrested 16 people during demonstrations and in 2014 10 people were arrested. In 2013, police arrested 18 people from a crowd that pelted them with rocks and bottles. Storefronts in downtown Seattle have also been smashed in previous protests.
In San Francisco, marchers rallied at Fisherman’s Wharf for immigrant and workers’ rights and to demand justice for several men fatally shot by city police.
About 300 people, including members of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union, held signs that read ‘‘Long Live May Day’’ and ‘‘Stop Police Terror,’’ and chanted ‘‘No Justice No Peace! No Racist Police!’’
Across the bay in Oakland, close to 1,000 people marched in the Fruitvale district to raise awareness for workers, housing and immigrant rights and denounce Trump.
Meanwhile, social justice advocates in Durham, N.H., made the rejection of racism, xenophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment the themes of their annual rally.
‘‘The Trump effect has taken over the media and silenced our voices,’’ Tomas Kennedy, an organizer of the planned Miami march, said in a statement. ‘‘It’s time to stand up against the current threat to democracy, freedom, human rights, equality, and the welfare of our country and all our people.’’
Marches were also held in Cleveland, Miami, New York, and Oakland, Calif., where close to 1,000 people marched in the Fruitvale district to raise awareness for workers, housing and immigrant rights and denounce Trump.
At a time when America is trying to deal with complex matters of gender, such as gay marriage and transgender rights — as well as find the right solution to the immigration issue — Trump has tried to make Clinton’s gender an issue in the campaign.
While the businessman has promised to ‘‘cherish’’ and ‘‘protect’’ women as president, he has dismissed the former senator and secretary of state as little more than a token female.
