The most powerful politicians in California rubbed shoulders with the least empowered workers in the state as thousands gathered to attend Miguel Contreras' funeral. Contreras, one of the nation's strongest labor leaders, died last week of a heart attack at age 52. Notable attendees included national labor leaders John Sweeney, Andrew Stern, Bruce Raynor, and John Wilhelm, as well as Los Angeles mayor James Hahn and filmmaker Rob Reiner.
See "Laborers, Leaders Mourn 'the Real Miguel Contreras'", Monte Morin and Carla Hall, Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2005