Denver, CO – Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a gathering in front of the Colorado capitol building on May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day. The Front Range Socialist Party and John Brown Gun Club held a food and clothing drive at the same location.

Waukesha, WI – Over 10,000 workers and community members marched in Waukesha, on May 1, as part of a “Day Without Latinos and Immigrants” statewide general mobilization. Protesters demanded Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson not turn his deputies into ICE agents through the 287(g) program. This same initiative was proposed in Madison in 2016 and was quickly struck down due to massive people’s mobilizations. Across the U.S., other cities also marched to protest the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrant communities.

Minneapolis, MN – Several hundred people marched for nearly three miles in south Minneapolis May 1 for immigrant and workers’ rights. The march on International Workers Day was initiated by the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) and endorsed by 46 organizations and unions, including the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Regional Labor Federations and many individual unions.

Grand Rapids, MI – Nearly 1000 immigrant rights supporters marched over three miles to downtown Grand Rapids. Mexican, Central American and Caribbean mothers and fathers pushed babies in strollers and young people chanted in unison, demanding immigration reform from Trump and the U.S. Congress.

Minneapolis, MN – Over 125 people gathered together for the Twin Cities Freedom Road Socialist Organization’s annual International Worker’s Day program, April 28. The night started with dinner and conversation. Childcare was provided.

Salt Lake City, UT – Shouts of “Stand up! Fight back!” echoed off the buildings of downtown Salt Lake City April 28 as more than 40 people gathered to celebrate working-class victories on May Day.

Los Angeles, CA – This spring has brought a rising tide of protests in the in the primarily Chicano communities of East Los Angeles (ELA) and Boyle Heights. The community has taken to the street to protest privatization of public schools, for student rights, and against police terror. Preparations are underway for a powerful May Day protest that will unite the community on the many issues, with the main demands being “Legalization for all” and “No deportations.”

Labor and immigrants vs. billionaires and bigots

This year, International Workers Day on May 1 is important for the labor and immigrant rights movements. For over a year now, the people have faced an onslaught of attacks from President Trump’s right-wing administration. Trump’s White House wants to enact the agenda of billionaires and bigots at all costs, whether through tax breaks for the rich, or through cruel raids and deportations of immigrants that rip families apart.

Este año, el Día Internacional de los Trabajadores el primero de mayo es importante para los movimientos por los derechos laborales y de los inmigrantes. Por más de un año, las personas se han enfrentado a los ataques de la administración del presidente Trump. La Casa Blanca de Trump quiere promulgar la agenda de los ricos a toda costa, a través de exenciones impositivas para los ricos, o por redadas crueles y deportaciones de inmigrantes que destrozan a las familias inmigrantes.

Annual International Workers Day march on Lake Street

Minneapolis, MN – On Tuesday, May 1, a broad coalition of unions, workers organizations, immigrant rights groups, and other community organizations will have a unified march and cultural program in South Minneapolis. The unified march will begin at 3:30 p.m. with short speeches at Lake and Nicollet. At 4 p.m. the march will leave. The march will culminate in a Cultural Program at the Powderhorn Park building at 5:15 p.m. with speakers, music and dance performances.

Oshkosh, WI – On April 21, United Action Oshkosh (UAO) held its first workshop for the community on its campaign to push for Oshkosh to become a sanctuary city.

Minneapolis, MN – On April 21, around 100 protesters rallied at the busy intersection of Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, holding signs that read, “No Muslim ban ever,” “No U.S. bombing Syria,” and “Stop the war on Muslims at home and abroad.” The rally was organized by the Minnesota Anti-War Committee and the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) to send a message of support to the Muslim community in anticipation for the upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the Muslim ban.

Chicago, IL – Maya Arcilla was angry as she opened the protest rally at the Federal Plaza in Chicago. A human rights activist from the Philippines, Jerome Succor Aba, had been held by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and then subject to psychological torture during a 28-hour period inside the San Francisco airport.

Minneapolis, MN – On Friday, April 13, in the City Hall rotunda, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) held their third press conference with their coalition partners since the launch of their campaign for ‘Sanctuary Now’ in Minneapolis. Before the meeting of the city council, they demanded urgent action to implement a Municipal ID for Minneapolis residents – one of 13 points in MIRAC’s Minneapolis Sanctuary Platform unveiled on Sept. 20, 2017.

Milwaukee, WI – Immigrants and community members gathered March 5 on Milwaukee’s south side, where the Young Peoples Resistance Committee (YPRC) led a rally, demanding that President Trump and the Republican-dominated Congress introduce legislation to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

Minneapolis, MN – On Feb. 28, students from multiple Minneapolis middle and high schools walked out of classes to demand a clean Dream Act. More than 75 students rallied briefly at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park before travelling to the University of Minnesota campus and marching to the office of Senator Amy Klobuchar. Once they arrived at Klobuchar’s office, students stormed into the building and refused to leave until the senator agreed to meet with them.

Oshkosh, WI – On Feb. 24, a group of over 40 people gathered at the Opera House Square in downtown Oshkosh for a demonstration and march in support of DACA and immigrants who are under constant attack by the reactionary policies of the federal government.

Los Angeles, CA – Over 50 angry people protested in front of the Los Angeles Police Department Boyle Heights Hollenbeck police station, Feb. 17. Cardboard signs with slogans like, “Justice for Christian Escobedo,” “Stop police brutality,” “Stop killing our youth,” and “De-escalation not violence” were waved at the people driving by and at the LAPD.

Tampa, FL – Student activists gathered Feb. 12 to demand the University of South Florida administration make USF a sanctuary campus and push local Representative Kathy Castor to support a Clean Dream Act in Congress. The event was hosted by Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and featured several speakers. Some of the topics addressed included why people immigrate here, Trump’s attacks on the undocumented and Muslim communities, and how to make USF a sanctuary campus. Students stopped to listen to speeches and join in the chanting.