San José, CA – Since Donald Trump became president on Jan. 20, he has carried out two of his three campaign pledges to attack immigrants. He issued an executive order that called for a wall on the Mexican border, and his proposed budget includes a down payment of $2.6 billion to start the construction on the wall. Trump also issued another executive order calling for increased staffing for immigration enforcement and expanding deportations to include all the undocumented, with the final decision to be made by ICE agents. His proposed budget also calls for almost $2 billion to step up deportations and for hiring more ICE and Border Patrol agents. This executive order also threatened sanctions on local governments that did not cooperate with immigration authorities.
Los Angeles, CA – The beautiful and unified chants of, “Chicano power! Immigrant power! Student power!” and “Que viva la Raza! Que viva Aztlán! Que viva Mexico!” was heard through the streets of the Chicano neighborhood of Boyle Heights, May 1. The spirited May Day march proceeded on Chavez Avenue in the heart of Boyle heights where residents came out to cheer and show support. A short rally was held at the corners of Chicago and First Street at the LAPD Hollenbeck police station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero and other youth.
Houston, TX – There were two May Day events in Houston, Texas. Immigrant rights groups demanding an end to deportations and to defend the rights of undocumented workers organized a noontime march and rally. With some union support, the crowd of hundreds marched to Houston City Hall and rallied on the steps.
Salt Lake City, UT – Over 150 people rallied in downtown Salt Lake to celebrate May 1, International Workers Day. Hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), the event assembled activists and organizers from a wide array of progressive groups in the valley, including Students for a Democratic Society, Utah Against Police Brutality, Workers World Party as well as many new people eager to get involved in local politics.
Milwaukee, WI – Buses came in from at least 12 cities across Wisconsin to march for this year’s May Day celebration. Since 2006, an annual rally and march has been held in Milwaukee, with this being one of the largest gatherings to date.
Minneapolis, MN – On May 1, a broad coalition of unions, workers organizations, immigrant rights groups and other community organizations held a unified march in Minneapolis. The march marked 100 days of resistance to Trump’s racist, anti-immigrant, anti-worker and anti-Muslim agenda. Even though the weather was cold and rainy, 2000 protesters loudly chanted in the streets, stopping rush hour traffic all over the city.
Chicago, IL – Rasmea Odeh speaks to a massive crowd at the May Day rally at Union Park in Chicago, May 1. The International Workers Day action eventually grew to 20,000 people marching in the streets. Odeh, who represented the Arab American Action Network, highlighted organizing with Arab and Muslim immigrants to resist attacks coming from the Trump regime.
Tucson, AZ – Close to 300 activists took the streets on May 1, International Workers Day, to demand an end to attacks on immigrants and workers. The Tucson May Day Coalition saw participation from immigrant rights groups such as Derechos Humanos and LUPE as well as labor groups such as UFCW, CWA, teachers unions and a host other progressive organizations.
San José, CA – On May 1, thousands gathered at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in the heart of the Chicano/Mexicano community in east San José to kick off May Day. They then marched through downtown to the Arena Greens park. The march was many times larger than the year before, and many unions and community groups were represented. In addition to traditional themes of immigrant and workers’ rights, there were many anti-Trump protesters as well.
Minneapolis, MN – About 2000 people marched thought the streets of Minneapolis, May 1, International Workers Day. Organized by the Resist from Day One Coalition, the May Day march and rallies put forward demands for immigrant and workers' rights.
Minneapolis, MN – At a press conference, April 28, leaders of the Resist from Day One Coalition, announced plans for May 1 rallies and strikes converging in unified march in Minneapolis on ‘Day without Immigrants’ for immigrant and workers' rights.
Los Angeles, CA – In the mainly Chicano Boyle Heights neighborhood, families and organizations will protest Trump’s ICE attacks and police killings by marching on May Day. The May Day march will start at 3 p.m. at the corner of Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Evergreen Street. Proceeding west on Chavez, the march will take place in the heart of Boyle heights. On Chicago Street, the march will travel south for a short rally at the corners of Chicago and First street at the LAPD Hollenbeck station to denounce the killings of Jose “Peruzzi” Mendez, Jesse Romero, and other youth.
Salt Lake City, UT – On May 1, Salt Lake City’s Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) will host a rally for May Day, International Workers’ Day. It will bring together laborers, immigrants, oppressed nationalities and all those in Utah who want to fight back against Trump and the system that allows his hate to flourish. Organizer say “Not one more deportation!” and “End attacks on the working class!”
En los EE.UU. el primero de mayo es un día de lucha para los inmigrantes y trabajadores. La Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad exhorta la importancia de unirse con los miles de millones de personas de todo el mundo que estarán marchando y celebrando el Dia Internacional de los Trabajadores.
May Day is a day for immigrant and workers’ struggle. The Freedom Road Socialist Organization thinks it is important to join the tens of millions around the world who rally and march on International Workers Day.
Tampa, FL – On April 30, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and other organizations will come together to celebrate May Day, or International Workers Day. The protest will be at 2 p.m. in Lykes Gaslight Park in downtown Tampa.
Tucson, AZ – The Tucson May Day Coalition has been working very hard in the last two months to build for what is expected to be a return to huge May Day rallies from past historic moments.
Fort Lauderdale, FL – On May 1, local workers, immigrants, and union members will gather to demonstrate their support for immigrants, workers and public education. Workers and activists will gather at Huizenga Plaza in Bubier Park in Fort Lauderdale at 5 p.m. for a packed program. Organizers are calling this a family-friendly action during which there will be musical performances and food.
Detroit, MI – A major mobilization is underway to support Palestinian American leader Rasmea Odeh at her appearance in Detroit Federal Court, on Tuesday, April 25, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. A solidarity rally at starts at 1:00 PM and the hearing begins at 2:30 p.m., at U.S. District Court, 231 W Lafayette Boulevard, downtown Detroit.
