May Day, or International Workers’ Day, has long been marked as a day of protest by the labor movement. It traces back to the fight for an eight-hour workday in the 19th century, where numerous workers went on strike, aiming for new work and wage regulations during that turbulent century. 

This year, to mark May 1, May Day included more than 3,000 planned events in 40 cities around the United States. The protests were inspired by imposed ICE enforcement in Minneapolis and the deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January. Anger over the Department of Government Efficiency cuts, wages and AI-caused job losses also contributed to the turnout. All of these issues reinforced the recurring theme and slogan of “No School. No Work. No Shopping. Workers Over Billionaires.”

The organizers put forward many demands opposing the Trump Administration’s policies, including no ICE, no war and taxing wealthy families. These calls to action encouraged thousands to rally at Chicago’s Union Park before marching downtown. In New York City, protesters marched from Bryant Park toward Jeff Bezos’ penthouse, and in Washington, D.C., crowds near the National Mall held signs reading “NO ICE” and “Stop the Deportations.”

Figures such as President of the Chicago Teachers Union Stacy Davis Gates have vividly described the unjust consequences of these issues and how they have negatively affected people’s lives.

“Not taxing the ultra-rich leaves schools without teachers, libraries without books, unsafe bridges, shuttered hospitals and the rest of us paying more,” Gates said.

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