Eric Richardson [Flickr]

A view down Broadway shows light traffic and early closures. Far in the distance, marchers gather at Olympic.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — An hour before the first May Day march is scheduled to start moving, preparations are well underway at the north end of Broadway. Perhaps the first closure of the day was between 1st and Temple, where port-o-johns and a stage were being placed.

The rise of Broadway between 1st and Temple offers the perfect vantage point to survey the entire stretch through Downtown. Far down the street, marchers could be seen gathering at Olympic with large banners.

More street closures will take place as the march starts moving. As of noon, most other blocks remained open but Metro buses were fewer and farther between as the transit operator began its detour routes avoiding the Downtown center.